The influences of fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion on composite properties in natural fibre composites

In this research, the interface between natural fibres and thermoplastic matrices is studied, in which fibre-matrix wetting analysis and interfacial adhesion are investigated to obtain a systematic understanding of the interface. In wetting analysis, the surface energies of the fibres and the matrices are estimated using their contact angles in test liquids. Then, work of adhesion is calculated for each composite system. For the interface tests, transverse three point bending (3PBT) tests on UD composites are performed to measure interfacial strength. XPS characterisation on the fibres is also carried out to obtain more information about the surface chemistry of the fibres. Unidirectional (UD) composites are examined to explore the correlation between the fibre-matrix interface and the final properties of the composites. The results suggest that the higher interfacial adhesion of the treated fibre composites compared to untreated fibre composites can be attributed to higher fibre–matrix physico-chemical interaction corresponding with the work of adhesion. In agreement with the interface evaluation, the flexural properties of the composites are significantly influenced by their interfacial adhesion.status: publishe