PREDICTION OF MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF RECYCLED FIBERGLASS REINFORCEDPOLYAMIDE-66

An experimental study of the mechanical performance of in-plant recycl ed fiberglass reinforced polyamide 66 is reported. The fiber length di stributions were used to investigate and to predict the influence of p rocess induced fiber shortening on the short term performance of recyc led samples compared to that of virgin samples. The results indicate t hat fiber shortening has a strong influence on strength. Applying a mo dified Kelly-Tyson model to the fiber length distribution gave excelle nt agreement with measured strength. There was no need to vary interfa ce or matrix properties in the theoretical analysis. The effect of rep rocessing on these factors does not appear to influence strength withi n the bounds of the model. The decrease in strength during a continuou s in-plant recycling process is small at a 30 wt% regrind level. Indee d, below 50 wt% regrind, the strength remains within design limits. Th e impact strength of dry unnotched samples indicated that the resistan ce is related to the reciprocal fiber length.