Degradation of Technora fibres in alkaline and neutral environments

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 94; no. 10
• Main Authors: Derombise, Guillaume, Vouyovitch van Schoors, Laetitia, Davies, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 01-10-2009
• Subjects: Engineering Sciences; Materials; VIEILLISSEMENT; POLYMERE; HYDROLYSE; ARAMIDE; LONG TERME; FIBRE
• ISSN: 0141-3910; 1873-2321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2009.07.021

Technora fibres are high performance aramid fibres which have been used in ropes and protective clothing for many years. They are also now being proposed in geotextiles for soil reinforcement. However, there is a lack of experience on the long-term behaviour of Technora fibres in an alkaline environment (lime-treated grounds). Consequently, aging studies have been performed under different conditions (deionised water, pH9 and pH11). Hydrolytic degradation has been evaluated by FTIR, viscosimetry, TGA, density measurements, SEM, and by tensile tests measurements. Some chain degradation and finish rearrangements have been highlighted, but Technora fibres retain their mechanical properties for all conditions considered here.