Morphology-property-relationship of thermo-mechanically graded self-reinforced polypropylene composites

In this paper the relationship between different composite morphologies and their mechanical properties is to be investigated. By manufacturing two different tape-based polypropylene composites in a compression moulding process, four varying degrees of compaction will be generated. The morphological structure is analyzed using confocal laser light microscopy and wet chemically etched specimen cross-sections. The etching process removes the amorphous phase in the polymer, making the macromolecular orientations and superstructures visible in the reinforcement tapes. The findings of the morphological analysis will be transferred to the results of mechanical investigations.