Seminar Series - 2000-2001

Adhesion and the Fiber-Polymer Interphase in Composite Materials:  Structure-Property Relationships and Interphase Design

Professor Lawrence T. Drzal
Departments of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Mechanics
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan   48824-1326

Sponsored by the UNL Research Council, the Dept. of Engineering Mechanics, and Center for Materials Research and Analysis

Date: Thursday, March 27, 2001
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: W128 Nebraska Hall


When polymer composite materials are fabricated, polymer-reinforcing fiber interphases are formed which are critical elements necessary for optimal mechanical performance of composite materials. The adhesion between fiber and matrix can have an effect on the composite static and dynamic mechanical properties, durability, environmental resistance and energy absorption. During composite processing, various chemical and physical interactions take place at the fiber surface in the polymeric matrix that strongly influence the final interphase structure. For thermoset matrices, chemisorption of constituents, segregation of constituents, and processing constraints all can influence the resulting structure of the polymer interphase in its final, solidified state. For thermoplastic matrices, adsorption of additives and low molecular weight constituents strongly influence the structure of the interphase. While a theoretical model that can describe the relationships between molecular parameters and macroscopic behavior is not available, the important parameters are known to a sufficient degree to predict trends in fiber-matrix adhesion for these systems. As a result, it is possible to microengineer the fiber-matrix interphase through the use of sizings and coatings to create an interphase with beneficial properties. Examples will be presented to illustrate how the interphases can be designed to produce desired interfacial properties such as adhesion.


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