Effect of water absorption and desorption on the interfacial degradation in a model composite of an aramid fibre and unsaturated polyester evaluated by Raman and FT infra-red microspectroscopy

Abstract

The interfacial degradation in a model composite of an aramid fibre (Kevlar 49) and unsaturated polyester (UP) followed by absorption and desorption of hot water at 90 °C was monitored by measuring the variations in residual stress in the embedded fibre by means of the micro-Raman technique. The Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) microspectroscopic analyses were also conducted to study the structure and the quantity of absorbed water causing interfacial degradation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.