G.M. Janowski
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Long-fiber thermoplastic (LFT) composites consist of a glass, carbon, or aramid fiber reinforcements (aspect ratio 2000 - 10000 ) in a commodity polymer matrix. This seminar will briefly review LFTs and then discuss some of the ongoing research at UAB that has focused on replacing metals in transportation and other applications where lightweight, low-cost materials are needed. Examples of components that have been designed and fabricated will illustrate some of the potential of these materials. However, LFTs often are processed via hot-melt impregnation, plastication, and compression molding, which can affect fiber length, internal porosity, and fiber alignment. Time permitting, preliminary results on creep behavior of LFTs will be discussed.

For further information please contact Prof. Melissa Baumann, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at mbaumann@msu.edu . Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation.

Please call the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at 355-5135 at least the day prior to the seminar; requests received after this date will be met when possible.