Composite Interfaces, Vol.12, No.3-4, 187-200, 2005
Adhesion of epoxy-thermoplastic and polysulfone-LCP matrices to fibres
This work investigated the adhesion strength tau of the joints of polymer blends with fibres. Blends of polysulfone with LC-polyether and epoxy resin (based on DGEBA) with polysulfone, polyetherimide and poly(arylene ether ketone) were taken as matrices. Steel wire, polyamide (nylon-6) and glass fibres were used as substrates. The adhesion strength was determined by the 'pull-out' technique. It was found that incorporation of LCP into polysulfone and incorporation of thermoplastics into epoxy matrix resulted in non-additive relationships between the adhesion strength and modifier (LCP or thermoplastic) content C. In the case of epoxy-polysulfone, epoxypolyetherimide and polysulfone-LCP matrices, such tau-C dependencies were described by curves showing a maximum. Optimal (maximal) adhesion strength of the blend/fibre joints was obtained at 10 wt% of polysulfone, 15 wt% of polyetherimide and poly(arylene ether ketone) in epoxy resin and 2-5 wt% of LC-polyether in polysulfone. Possible mechanisms of the interface strength enhancement are discussed.
Keywords:interface;interphase;adhesion;pull-out;thermoset-thermoplastic blends;thermoplastic-liquid crystalline blends