Chemical Modification and Fabrication of Epoxy/Synthetic Fiber Composites

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites with excellent chemical and mechanical properties were extensively used in aerospace, automotive, marine, civil, and sports applications. Mechanical and chemical durability of the polymer composites depended upon the interphase bonding between the fiber/matrix interphases. Surface modifications of synthetic fiber surface have profound importance as they improve wettability, adhesion, and surface roughness. This chapter provides an overview on surface treatments adopted for the synthetic fibers such as glass, carbon, and aramid. The common surface modification processes such as silane, plasma, acid treatments, and nanofiber coatings have been employed in the synthetic fiber industry. The surface treatments of the synthetic fibers increase the intensity of reactive sites in the matrix/fiber interphase and aid in improving the bonding between the matrix and the fibers.