Interface in composite materials

Abstract

The mechanical characteristics of a fibre-resin composite depend primarily on the mechanical properties of the combined materials, the surface of the fibre, the nature of the fibre-resin bonding as well as the mode of stress transfer at the interface. These two last points are related to the surface properties of the fibres. The various types of bonding that may occur between fibrous materials (carbon, glass and organic fibres) and organic polymers, including the relevant theories, are briefly reviewed. In order to optimize the fibre-resin interactions, it is often essential that the interface should be chemically modified. The various possible treatments may be classified under three headings: chemical surface modification of the fibre, sizing and polymer fixation (grafting). The major factors that influence the interactions between high-performance fibres and organic resins will be established and discussed, as illustrated in a few selected examples.