Effect of interface temperature on low‐velocity impact response of injection over‐molded short/continuous fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

Abstract Injection over‐molded short/continuous fiber reinforced composites are a unique class of materials for fabricating lightweight components having complex geometries in automotive manufacturing due to their higher specific mechanical properties, lower assembly cost, and short production cycle time. The influence of interface temperature on the low‐velocity impact response of short/continuous fiber‐reinforced polypropylene was experimentally investigated by varying the melt temperature. The over‐molded specimens fabricated at an interface temperature considerably higher than the melting point of polypropylene exhibited a 12% enhanced peak load with less impact damage compared with specimens over‐molded at a lower interface temperature. Optical analysis of impacted specimens over‐molded at lower interface temperature revealed interface debonding and insert delamination. Whereas insert delamination alone was observed for the specimens fabricated at higher interface temperature. The specimens over‐molded at high interface temperature exhibited less impact energy absorption and high compression strength after impact because of their strong interfacial adhesion. Highlights Impact energy absorption is less if melt temperature is high in injection over‐molding. Higher melt temperature enhances interface bonding by raising interface temperature. Interface debonding and insert delamination are the dominant impact failure modes. The compression strength after impact has increased with higher melt temperature. Impact and compression strength after impact is governed by the interfacial strength.