Description Strength of fibre-matrix interface plays a critical role on the overall mechanical performance of fibre-reinforced composites. Circular cross-sectional glass fibres have been heavily investigated. However, shaped fibres with other geometries such as oval cross-section will provide greater fibre-matrix contact area. Therefore, the impact of the quality of the fibre-matrix interface on the mechanical properties of the composites would be more significant. In this project, continuous fibre-reinforced polypropylene composites will be manufacturing using compression moulding technique. Mechanical and thermal properties of the produced composites will be then evaluated. The project will involve gaining hands-on experience working in the Advanced Composites Group research laboratory alongside experts in the field of composite materials. Key Objectives This project aims to manufacture and characterise compression moulded glass-fibre-reinforced/PP composites. In order to achieve this, the following will be investigated:

Development of unidirectional glass fibre plys Preparation of polymer sheets Assessing the influence of processing parameters on polymer formation Manufacturing composite laminates for characterisation Characterising produced composite laminates mechanical properties: tensile, flexural and short-beam-shear Characterising produced composite/polymer laminates thermal properties: DSC Characterising produced composite laminates/polymer processing properties: void content, fibre volume fraction Assessing the influence of cross-sectional fibre shape on mechanical properties