Hybrid semicrystalline-amorphous thermoplastic composites for aeronautical applications

Processing of semi-crystalline thermoplastic matrix composites for aeronautical applications experienced some problems for the high temperatures required and for the need to control the cooling rate, in order to obtain the correct crystallinity content in the final product. The approach of processing the material in the amorphous state would allow lower processing temperatures, but the crystallization isn’t satisfactory (cold crystallization). A new approach, based on hybrid semicrystalline-amorphous thermoplastic composites has been considered, potentially overcoming the mentioned problem, and the main issues of this concept are described. The approach is presently under investigation in a multinational research program supported by the European Commission (NHYTE).