Paper number 616

EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL TREATMENTS ON HIGH PERFORMANCE POLY(P-PHENYLENE BENZOBISOXAZOLE) FIBERS

Gwomei Wu1, Chin-Huang Hung1 and Shih-Jung Liu2

1Department of Chemical Engineering
2Department of Mechanical Engineering
Chang Gung University
Kweisan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, 333, R.O.C.

Summary The adhesion between fiber and matrix in a composite system is a primary factor for stress transfer from matrix to fiber. Poor adhesion is generally the result of chemically inactive surface and relatively smooth surface of the reinforcement fiber. In this study, we examined the effects of chemical treatment on the surface of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) or PBO fibers. Kevlar fibers and carbon fibers were also studied for comparison. The changes in fiber topography and surface elemental compositions were detected using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). The results showed that the surface free energy varied with treatment intensity, treatment time and type of chemical treatment. The surface nitrogen-to-carbon and oxygen-to-carbon ratios were significantly increased. In addition, the surface free energy of PBO fiber was increased by 35% with methanesulfonic acid (60%, 36h) and by 14% with nitric acid (60%, 36h).
Keywords fibers, chemical treatment, surface free energy, poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO), Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA).

Theme : Fibres ; Others

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