Chemical Bonding and Physical Interaction by Attached Chains at the Fiber-Matrix Interface

Abstract

Abstract Molecular chains with different chemical structures were attached to the surface of aramid engineering fiber, and their effect on the fiber's adhesion to epoxy matrix was measured. Adhesive performance increases up to 65% were achieved, depending on the structure of the attached chains. Increases were attributed to chemical bonding between the terminal reactive group of the chain and the epoxide molecule used in the matrix, and to a length-related physical interaction between the chain and epoxy matrix.