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Effect of fuming nitric acid surface treatment of ultra‐high modulus polyethylene fibers on the mechanical properties of their composites
Author(s) -
Taboudoucht A.,
Opalko R.,
Ishida H.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.750130203
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , polyethylene , epoxy , scanning electron microscope , flexural strength , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , nitric acid , modulus , adhesion , dynamic mechanical analysis , polymer , chemical engineering , engineering , metallurgy
The effect of hot fuming nitric acid (FNA) treatment on the adhesion of ultra‐high modulus polyethylene fabrics to an epoxy resin has been investigated. Mechanical and molecular characterization of the interface has been attempted. Fourier transform infrared diffuse transmittance spectroscopy has been used to monitor the chemical changes introduced by the FNA treatment as well as the nature of the interface between the fibers and the epoxy resin on the molecular level. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to examine the morphological consequences of the FNA treatment. Flexural and interlaminar shear properties of the composites have been measured as a function of the extent of surface treatment. Esterification of the FNA treated polyethylene fibers is used to examine the role of surface functionality to the mechanical performance.