Microwave induced hierarchical nanostructures on aramid fibers and their influence on adhesion properties in a rubber matrix

Abstract

At the moment several commercial surface treatments are used to increase adhesion between aramid fiber and matrix material in composite structures but each of these have some limitations. The aim of this study is to address some of these limitations by developing a surface treatment method for aramid fibers that would not affect mechanical properties of the fibers negatively, could be used with any matrix material and that could withstand handling of the fibers and ageing. The method used is microwave assisted surface treatment that uses microwave radiation together with dry reactive chemicals to create hierarchical structures to the fiber surface and so makes it possible to control the adhesion properties of the fibers. SEM imaging, fiber tensile tests and modified bundle pull-out test were used to investigate the outcome of the surface treatment and measure adhesion between aramid fiber bundles and rubber. SEM imaging revealed that nanoscale deposits are formed on to the fiber surface which enable mechanical interlocking between the fiber and the matrix material. Fiber tensile tests showed that the surface treatment does not influence tensile properties of the fiber negatively. Results from the bundle pull-out tests confirmed that this kind of method can lead up to 259% improvement in adhesion when compared to untreated aramid fibers in rubber matrix.

Effect of Surfactant Type and Sonication Energy on the Electrical Conductivity Properties of Nanocellulose-CNT Nanocomposite Films

“…Nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, play a role in the development of future composite materials. For example, CNTs and graphene have been used to toughen matrix polymers [ 3 ], to adjust barrier properties of nanocomposite films [ 4 ], and to form hierarchical reinforcements [ 5 ]. It is possible to attain the percolation threshold in the insulating polymer matrix at a low CNT concentration due to their excellent electrical, mechanical and thermal properties.…”

Comparison and Impact of Different Fiber Debond Techniques on Fiber Reinforced Flexible Composites

“…Also clamping of the surrounding matrix has to be avoided to reduce further stresses induced by the fixing unit, because these stresses were transferred to the elastic matrix and further directly into the embedded fiber bundle, which result in a fiber breakage. A specimen holder [17] originally designed for carbon black filled rubbers was modified for the testing on unfilled elastomer systems. All fiber bundle specimens have to be placed, deformation-free, inside the specimen holder.…”

“…Currently, there are several methods to investigate the interface properties in a single fiber and fiber bundle scale [7][8][9][10]. Generally, the single fiber push-out [11] and the pull-out tests [12][13][14] or the fiber bundle pull-out (FBPO) test [15][16][17][18] represent a fiber-loaded system. In these tests, the common measuring tests are carried out for a clamped matrix and therefore less suitable for elastic materials [19].…”

Advanced Treatments of Aramid Fibers for Composite Laminates

“…The application of surface modifications, to allow mechanical interlocking, has been introduced by Lee-Sulivan et al [9], Palola et al [10], and Wu et al [11]. Naturally, the modification of surface roughness also affects the surface chemistry of the fibers.…”