Forming analysis of chopped flax fibre reinforced polypropylene composites

This work presents fundamental results on the research carried out by stamp forming of a chopped flax fibre reinforced polypropylene composite. The application of the real time non-contact strain measuring system, ARAMIS", facilitates observations on material behaviour during forming. Through visual, microscopic and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) examinations, the major failure mode exhibited in the flax/polypropylene composite at room temperature is identified as fibre fracture. The punch load versus displacement curves at different blank holder forces are also analysed to determine the effect of blank holder force on the energy required for forming. The study of strain evolution at points of interest illustrates that blank holder force is a major factor in stamp forming of natural fibre reinforced composites. The results obtained in this study provide insight into challenges facing stamp forming of this class of material systems.