| Abstract: | Various compounds were used for the surface treatment of aramid fibers in order to promote adhesion to polymeric matrices. The improvement of adhesive bond could be based either on the roughness of fiber surface or on chemical modification introduced by grafting. The compounds used are more or less reactive to the secondary amide groups, present on the aramid chain. Thus, the fibers were impregnated with acetic acid anhydride, sulfuric acid–acrylamide, and methacryloyl chloride. The effect of such treatment was first evaluated by optical microscopy and infrared analysis. Tensile measurements were also carried out in order to define any changes of strength and modulus. Finally, tensile specimens were prepared using unsaturated polyester reinforced with aramid fibers and the effect of chemical treatment on the tensile strength was determined. From the above study, methacryloyl chloride was proved an effective coupling agent with possible grafting to aramid fibers. |
