Surface treatments in fiber-reinforced composites (Chap.3)
Résumé
The properties of fiber reinforced polymer composites depend on those of the individual components but also of the characteristics of the fiber/matrix interface. To ensure appropriate interfacial interactions, fiber surface must be modified accordingly. Fibers strength has to be maintained during their handling and the composite manufacturing and in-service life so that the development of appropriate surface treatments, so called sizings, is a delicate issue. Traditional reinforcements, e.g. glass and carbon fibers, as well as plant fibers will be considered in this chapter, these latter imparting the composite certain benefits such as a low environmental footprint. After a presentation of each fiber manufacturing, a review of the literature relating sizings with the formation of fiber/matrix interphase and the closely connected phenomenon of interface adhesion is presented for each reinforcement.