Investigating the crystallization kinetics and morphology development in fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for automotive applicatio

The development of sustainable structural materials offering lightweighting potential addressing the environmental challenges of reducing CO2 emissions in the automotive industry, is needed. Fibre-reinforced polymer composites (FRPs) are light cost-effective materials giving directional strength, stiffness, durability and corrosion resistance. FRP candidate materials are semi-crystalline engineering polymers, e.g. polyamides (PA) combined with long glass fibres (PA-GF). Here, we will look at the structure morphology development in FRP materials using combined in-situ thermal and small and wide-angle X-ray scattering. This will allow us to follow the polymers crystalline structure development during cooling at temperatures mimicking industrial processing conditions, giving a unique insight into how processing affects the polymer morphology, mechanical and physical properties of the composite.