Synergy modification of the microstructure and the property of PBO fiber by γ‐ray radiation

Abstract

The effects of γ‐ray radiation on PBO fibers and its composite materials have been investigated, the results showed that the microstructure and the performance of radiated PBO fibers have been improved with 30–120 kGy radiation dose, crosslinking reactions came from PBO polymer molecule chains and micro‐fibrils. As a result, the molecular weight the thermal stability were increased, the tendency of micro‐fibrils to split‐off also decreased, the hook force of radiated PBO fibers increased by 14.0% without tensile strength loss, and the nano‐compression modulus and the flexure strength of radiated PBO fiber composites also increased by 21.0% and 22.7%, respectively. The work indicated that γ‐ray radiation could synchronously strengthen the microstructure and improve the properties of PBO fibers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:272–279, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers