Thermoplastic composite parts were produced by the hot press compression molding process with three different thermal cycles, which were evaluated employing the material comparative analysis, before and after the manufacturing of parts. The properties of laminates and parts were evaluated by visual inspection, presence of voids or delamination by using optical microscopy, degree of crystallinity (DoC) utilizing DSC technique and mechanical properties making use of the flexural test. The results showed no delamination or voids. However, when the coldest mold was used (100 °C), the mechanical properties decreased up to 25% and a significant difference of DoC was observed from the part surfaces in contact with the mold (13%) to its centre (21%). This did not occur with the other processing conditions (molds at 170 and 210 °C), which exhibited DoCs around 20%.
Thermoplastic composite; polyphenylene sulphide; PPS; hot press compression molding; degree of crystallinity
