Fibre-matrix interphase adhesion

It has also been found that moisture absorbance of the natural fibre-polymer composite can be prevented if the fibre-matrix adhesion is optimized [15, 24]. Indeed, whereas composites based on standard PP and cellulosic fibres displayed high water content at the interphase, due to the presence of microcavities, the encapsulation of the fibres with MAPP decreased the water sensitivity of the composites in terms of both the water uptake and its diffusion coefficient [25], as shown in Fig. 19.9. 

Figure 9.13 Schematic of the interphase region between fiber and matrix. Source Reprinted with permission from Herrera-Franco PJ, Drzal LT, Comparison of methods for the measurement of fibre/matrix adhesion in composites, Composites, 23, 2,1992. Copyright 1992, Elsevier.

A tentative model has been proposed to relate the interfacial shear strength at the fibre-matrix interface, measured by a fragmentation test on single fibre composites, to the level of adhesion between both materials. This last quantity has been estimated from the surface properties of both the fibre and the matrix and was defined as the sum of dispersive and acid-base interactions. This new model clearly indicates that the micromechanical properties of a composites are mainly determined by the level of physical interactions established at the fibre-matrix interface and, in particular, by electron acceptor-donor interactions. Moreover, to a first approximation, our model is able to explain the stress transfer phenomenon through interfacial layers, such as crystalline interphases in semi-crystalline matrices and interphases of reduced mobility in elastomeric matrices. An estimation of the elastic moduli of these interphases can also be proposed. Furthermore, recent work [21] has shown that the level of interfacial adhesion plays a major role on the final performances (tensile, transverse and compressive strengths and strains) of unidirectional carbon fibre-PEEK composites. 

The bonding between the fibres and the matrix is another decisive element. It depends on the quality and processes that appear in the fibre/matrix interface (interphase). In some advanced composites, but also in glass fibre-reinforced cements, the chemical interaction between these two constituents may be destructive for the composite integrity. The fibre-matrix bond is ensnred by different processes by adhesion, mechanical anchorage and by friction, depending on the chemical and mechanical properties of both phases. 

The polymeric composite consists of fibres for reinforcement on the one hand and of the matrix on the other hand. One of the main problems encountered here is the contact or adhesion between the fibres and the polymeric matrix, the so-called interphase problem. The adhesion between fibre surface and polymeric matrix depends... 

Equation 1 assumes that the shear stress at the interface is constant as a result of complete interfacial debonding. With good adhesion, only partial debonding or other micro-mechanical events such as transverse matrix cracking are observed, which invalidate the assumption of a constant interfacial shear stress. As a result, alternative data reduction techniques have been developed. For example, Tripathi and Jones developed the cumulative stress-transfer function, which deals with the limitations given above. This has been further refined by Lopattananon et al into the stress-transfer efficiency from which an ineffective length of that fibre in that resin can be determined. In this model, the matrix properties and frictional adhesion at debonds can be included in the analysis. It is also possible to use the three-phase stress-transfer model of Wu et al to include the properties of an interphase. 

ToF-SIMS chemical imaging (often in conjunction with iXPS) also plays a role in the analysis of the interphase region of fully fabricated glass fibre composites, particularly interaction of silane based adhesion promoters with the resin matrix. ToF-SIMS is profitably used in the packaging industry (adhesives) and food industry (contamination of contents by the packaging). The technique allows examining phase-separation of blends in the surface [822]. 

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