Formability study of hybrid carbon fibre/self-reinforced polypropylene composites

This paper investigates the formability characteristics of polypropylene composites reinforced by randomly oriented discontinuous carbon fibres and/or woven polypropylene tapes, which are also known as self-reinforced composites. Hybridised configurations when both reinforcements are used were also studied. Material behaviour during forming is studied by thermostamping domes of different depths ranging from nearly flat to fully hemispherical. It was found that carbon fibre preforms and hybrids deconsolidate and develop wrinkles during forming. These wrinkles collapse during the final consolidation stage and good surface quality of the hemispherical parts is achieved.