Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Plasma surface modification of advanced organic fibres: Part V Effects on the mechanical properties of aramid/phenolic composites

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aramid fibres have been treated in ammonia and oxygen plasma to enhance adhesion to resole phenolic resins. The plasma treatments resulted in significant improvements in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and flexural strength of composites made from these materials. Composites containing aramid fibres with epoxide groups reacted on to the ammonia plasma-treated fibre surface also showed further improvements in ILSS and flexural strength. Scanning electron and optical microscopic observations were used to examine the microscopic basis for these results, which have been compared with those obtained previously for aramid/epoxy and aramid/vinyl ester composites. For composites containing oxygen and ammonia plasma-treated fibres, the enhanced ILSS and flexural strength are attributed to improved wetting of the surface-treated aramid fibres by the phenolic resin. However, for those containing fibres with reacted epoxide groups on the ammonia plasma-treated fibre surfaces, the enhanced composite properties may be due to covalent chemical interfacial bonding between the epoxide groups and the phenolic resin. Effects of catalyst levels and cure cycle on the ILSS of composites laminated with untreated fabric has also been examined and optimum values have been determined. The catalyst concentration has an influence on the phase-separated water domain density in the matrix which in turn, affects the available fibre/matrix bonding area and hence the composite ILSS and flexural strength.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. T. H. DAILEY Jr and H. D. LYONS Sr, in “Phenolic Reinforced Plastics in America-A Status Update”, 45th Annual Conference, Composites Institute (The Society of the Plastics Industry, New York, 1990) p. 13–B/1.

    Google Scholar 

  2. K. L. FORSDYKE, in “Phenolic Matrix Resins-The Way to Safer Reinforced Plastics”, 43rd Annual Conference, Composites Institute (The Society of the Plastics Industry, New York, 1988) p. 18–C/1.

    Google Scholar 

  3. A. KNOP and L. A. PILATO, “Phenolic Resins, Chemistry, Applications and Performance, Future Directions” (Springer, Berlin, 1985) pp. 54–5.

    Google Scholar 

  4. T. H. DAILEY Jr and J. SHUFF, in “Phenolic Resins Enhance Public Safety by Reducing Smoke, Fire and Toxicity in RP”, 46th Annual Conference, Composites Institute (The Society of the Plastics Industry, New York, 1991) p. 15–D/1.

    Google Scholar 

  5. J. HUNTER and K. L. FORSDYKE, Compos. Polym. 2 (1989) 169.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. S. M. TAVAKOLI and M. G. PHILLIPS, in “Composites, Design, Manufacture and Application”, Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM/8), edited by S. W. Tsai and G. S. Springer, Honolulu, Hawaii, 15-19 July, 1991, p. 16–D1.

  7. S. M. TAVAKOLI, R. A. PALFREY and M. G. PHILLIPS, Composites 20 (1989) 159.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. P. YEUNG and L. J. BROUTMAN, Polym. Eng. Sci. 18 (1978) 62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. S. J. MONTE and G. SUGARMAN, in “Proceedings of the 35th Annual Technical Conference”, The Society of the Plastics Industry (The Society of the Plastics Industry, New York, 1980) p. 23–F/1.

    Google Scholar 

  10. J. B. DONNET, Carbon 6 (1968) 161.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. H. M. STOLLER and R. E. ALLRED, in “Proceedings of the 18th International SAMPE Technical Conference”, edited by J. T. Hoggett, S. G. Hill and J. C. Johnson (SAMPE, Seattle, WA, 1986) p. 993.

    Google Scholar 

  12. L. S. PENN, T. J. BYERLEY and T. K. LIAO, J. Adhes. 23 (1987) 163.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. M. BREZNICK, J. BANJABI, H. GUTTMANN and G. MAROM, Polym. Commun. 28 (1987) 55.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. L. S. PENN, G. C. TESORO and H. X. ZHOU, Polym. Compos. 9 (1988) 184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. L. S. PENN and B. JUTIS, J. Adhes. 30 (1989) 67.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. R. BENRASHID and G. C. TESORO, Text. Res. J. 60 (1990) 334.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. R. C. T. CHOU, J. Y. C. TSAI and L. S. PENN, in “Proceedings of the 35th International SAMPE Symposium”, edited by G. Janicki, V. Bailey and H. Schjelderup (SAMPE, Anaheim, CA, 1990) p. 214.

    Google Scholar 

  18. F. P. M. MERCX and P. J. LEMSTRA, Polym. Commun. 31 (1990) 252.

    Google Scholar 

  19. J. R. BROWN, P. J. C. CHAPPELL and Z. MATHYS, J. Mater. Sci. 26 (1991) 4172.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Idem, ibid. 27 (1992) 6475.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. J. R. BROWN, P. J. C. CHAPPELL and G. A. GEORGE, J. Mater. Sci. Lett. 12 (1993) 754.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. N. SUBRAMANIAM, F. D. BLUM, P. GOPAL and L. R. DHARANI, SAMPE Q. 24(3) (1993) 15.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. P. J. C. CHAPPELL, J. R. BROWN, G. A. GEORGE and H. A. WILLIS, Surf. Interface Anal. 17 (1991) 143.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. C. E. BROWNING, F. L. ABRAMS and J. M. WHITNEY, ASTM STP 797, (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, 1983) p. 54.

  25. ASTM D 2344-76, “Apparent Interlaminar Shear Strength of Parallel Fiber Composites by Short-Beam Method” (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, 1976).

    Google Scholar 

  26. ASTM D 790-86, “Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials” (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, 1986).

    Google Scholar 

  27. C. ZWEBEN, W. S. SMITH and M. W. WARDLE, ASTM STP 674 (American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, 1978) p. 228.

  28. J. L. THOMASON, Composites 26 (1995) 467.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. G. A. GEORGE, G. A. CASH, T. T. LE, B. G. S. GOSS, B. J. WOOD, J. R. BROWN and N. A. ST JOHN, Polym Adv. Technol. 7 (1996) 1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DSTO Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 4331, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia

    J. R BROWN & Z MATHYS

Authors
  1. J. R BROWN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Z MATHYS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

BROWN, J.R., MATHYS, Z. Plasma surface modification of advanced organic fibres: Part V Effects on the mechanical properties of aramid/phenolic composites. Journal of Materials Science 32, 2599–2604 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018654501851

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018654501851

Keywords

Search

Navigation