Processing and mechanical properties evaluation of a commingled carbon-fibre/PA-12 composite

A carbon-fibre/PA-12. hybrid yam, woven fabric material has been processed into laminates and mechanically tested to evaluate its suitability for high performance applications. The processing technique used was compression mo ulding. A process parameter investigation was carried out to determine the most suitable values of pressure, temperature and time at temperature requi red to economically produce laminates of high quality. Laminates were subse quently produced for a detailed material-testing programme. It was found th at the hybrid yam material exhibits excellent mechanical properties, partic ularly tension, open-hole tension, fracture and impact properties. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.