INVESTIGATION OF THE DEGRADATION OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE REINFORCED WITH SHORT FIBERS

The thermal behaviour of short fibre reinforced composites was studied by DSC and TGA techniques. A thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer was used as the matrix and carbon fibre or aramid fibre as reinforcing fi llers in each composite. The influence of short fibres on the thermal resistance of the matrix. glass transition temperature and kinetic par ameters of the degradation reaction of the composites were studied. Th e thermal resistance of aramid fibre reinforced composites was greater than those of carbon fibre reinforced composites or the pure matrix p olymer. In addition to this, analysis of the kinetics and the glass tr ansition temperature suggest greater interaction between aramid fibre and elastomer matrix. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited