REVIEW ON UNIQUE METHODS OF INTERFACIAL ADHESION EVALUATION VIA WETTABILITY AND ELECTRO-MICROMECHANICAL TECHNIQUES FOR VARIOUS FIBERS/THERMOSET OR THEMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES

Abstract

As the demand for fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) has increased in various industries, composite materials have been manufactured in larger sizes and more complex shapes. Since the FRC has been manufactured in such larger and more complex shapes, wettability, one of the important factors in FRC manufacturing efficiency, has been the focus of many researchers. This work explores various evaluation methods of the wettability between various different typed-fibers and thermosetting or thermoplastic matrices. Generally, work of adhesion, capillary, and permeability methods have been used to evaluate the wettability parameters between the fibers and the polymer matrix. Micromechanical techniques such as microdroplet and fragmentation tests can be also combined with wettability test, informing thermodynamic work of adhesion. Micromechanical interfacial tests can be correlated to macromechanical interfacial tests, which are more practical for FRC. Electrical resistance (ER) measurements also can be correlated to the interfacial adhesion and interfacial shear strength (IFSS). These various parameters exhibit different scales of measurements such as surface energy, polymer viscosity, the fiber volume fraction, the fiber orientation and so on. Some applicable researches may include complementary studies between these evaluation methods. Since all of the interfacial evaluating methodologies can provide each their own benefits or disadvantages, these methods can be combined together to get more reliable method. Copyright © 2023. Used by CAMX - The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo. CAMX Conference Proceedings.