Study on the interfacial properties of two-dimensionally arranged glass fiber/epoxy resin model composites

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 99; no. 4; pp. 1541 - 1551
• Main Authors: Moon, C. K., Holmes, G. A., McDonough, W. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15-02-2006; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; damage; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; interfacial properties; interfiber distance; matrix crack; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; two-dimensional fragmentation test; damage; Fiber reinforced material; Epoxy resin; Mechanical properties; Shear strength; Organic silane; Experimental study; Mineral fiber; matrix crack; Composite material; Surface treatment; Coupling agent; Fragmentation; Interface properties; interfiber distance; Matrix fiber interface; Size effect; Matrix fracture; Measurement method; two- dimensional fragmentation test; Glass fiber; interfacial properties; Damaging
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.22349

The effect of interfiber distance on the interfacial properties in two dimensional multi‐E‐glass fiber/epoxy resin composites has been investigated using fragmentation test. In addition, the effect of the fiber surface treatment on the interfacial properties has been studied. We found that the interfacial shear strength decreased with the decreasing interfiber distance at the range of <50 μm and the extent of the decreasing was more serious as the increasing of the number of adjacent fiber. This is probably that the interface between the fiber and the resin was damaged by the breaking of adjacent fibers and the damage increased with minimizing the interfiber spacing and the number of adjacent fibers. We can guess that interfacial shear strength in real composites is much smaller than that of multifiber fragmentation sample with touched fiber. When the interfiber distance was >50 μm, the interfacial shear strengths were saturated regardless of fiber surface treatment and were in close agreement with those of the single fiber fragmentation test. Finally, the interfacial shear strength evaluated using two dimensional fragmentation tests are shown as real values in‐site regardless of fiber surface treatment, interfiber distance, and existing matrix cracks. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1541–1551, 2006