One Surface Treatment, Multiple Possibilities: Broadening the Use-Potential of Para-Aramid Fibers with Mechanical Adhesion

Abstract

Aramid fibers are high-strength and high-modulus technical fibers used in protective clothing, such as bulletproof vests and helmets, as well as in industrial applications, such as tires and brake pads. However, their full potential is not currently utilized due to adhesion problems to matrix materials. In this paper, we study how the introduction of mechanical adhesion between aramid fibers and matrix material the affects adhesion properties of the fiber in both thermoplastic and thermoset matrix. A microwave-induced surface modification method is used to create nanostructures to the fiber surface and a high throughput microbond method is used to determine changes in interfacial shear strength with an epoxy (EP) and a polypropylene (PP) matrix. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the surface morphology of the fibers and differences in failure mechanism at the fiber-matrix interface. We were able to increase interfacial shear strength (IFSS) by 82 and 358%, in EP and PP matrix, respectively, due to increased surface roughness and mechanical adhesion. Also, aging studies were conducted to confirm that no changes in the adhesion properties would occur over time.

Towards Sustainable Composite Manufacturing with Recycled Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites

“…The exact value appeared slightly lower than that of the un-sized rCF s but was well within the deviation range, as seen from Figure 3 b. The increased surface topography of rCF S was most likely the main contributor to the enhanced IFSS, as noted in other similar studies [ 19 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. The surface of both of the rCF types (conventional and reactive pyrolysis) was more textured and rougher in the loading direction than of the pristine CFs ( Figure 1 ).…”

Impact and fatigue tolerant natural fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites by using non-dry fibres

“…A tough interface can enhance the fatigue tolerance of composites [14,15]. Common methods to enhance interfacial toughness are chemical grafting of polymer chains on reinforcing fibres to induce polymer chain entanglement between fibre and matrix [16,17], depositing functionalised nanomaterials on the fibres [18][19][20], and deploying a thin ductile phase between fibre and matrix [10,13]. For instance, Hsieh et al [15] showed that adding 0.5 wt% carbon nanotubes increases epoxy resin's fatigue crack growth threshold by 204% from 24 J/m 2 to 73 J/m 2 .…”

Continuous Stabilization and Carbonization of a Lignin–Cellulose Precursor to Carbon Fiber

“…4 Although the IFSS was lower than that of the reference, it was still in the same range as epoxy−aramid (29.8−54.2 MPa) but lower than epoxy-glass fiber (52.7 MPa), measured with the same device. 27,41 ■ CONCLUSIONS This work demonstrates the successful continuous conversion of dry-jet wet spun lignin−cellulose PFs (50/50 wt/wt) into CFs using softwood kraft lignin and cellulose pulp as sources.…”

“…4 Although the IFSS was lower than that of the reference, it was still in the same range as epoxy–aramid (29.8–54.2 MPa) but lower than epoxy-glass fiber (52.7 MPa), measured with the same device. 27 , 41 …”