Abstract
ABSTRACT: Silane coupling agents have been frequently used as interfacial agents in polymer composites to improve interfacial strength and resistance to fluid migration. Although the capability of these agents in improving properties and performance of composites has been reported, there are still many uncertainties regarding the processing-structure-property relationships and the mechanisms of coupling developed by silane agents. In this work, an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was used to measure interactions between polymers and silica substrates, where silane networks with a series of different structures were processed. The influence of the structure of silane networks on the interactions with polymers was studied and used to determine the mechanisms involved in the coupling phenomenon. The AFM results showed that phenomena such as chain penetration, entanglements, intersegment bonding, chain conformation in the vicinities of rigid surfaces were identified as being relevant for the overall processes of adhesion and adsorption of polymeric chains within a silane network. AFM adhesion curves showed that penetration of polymeric chains through a more open silane network can lead to higher levels of interactions between polymer and silane agents.
Highlights
Introduction composites for structural applicationsThe mainSilane coupling agents as interfacial modifiers in polymer composites support of this tendency is the possibility of producing composites with high mechanical properties and low density that can replace traditional materials such as E a rigid definition of “composites” has steel and wood[1].not been reached yet, they can be described asOne of the key elements of composites is the materials comprised of two or more constituents with interface between reinforcing agents and polymer very distinct composition, structure and properties matrices
In terms of mechanical years, there has been a substantial development of properties, a rigid interface can lead to high levels of Rodrigo Lambert Oréfice, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, LEPCom - Laboratory of Polymers and Composites Engineering, Rua Espírito Santo 35 - 2° andar, 30160-030 Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil, Phone: 55-31-238-1813, Fax: 55-31-238-1815, email: rorefice@demet.ufmg.br; Anthony Brennan, University of Florida, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, 32611 Gainesville, FL - USA
The experiments described and discussed in this work demonstrated that Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) can be used to study mechanisms that occur when polymer chains are present at the interface of composites
Summary
Silane coupling agents as interfacial modifiers in polymer composites support of this tendency is the possibility of producing composites with high mechanical properties and low density that can replace traditional materials such as E. One of the key elements of composites is the materials comprised of two or more constituents with interface between reinforcing agents and polymer very distinct composition, structure and properties matrices. In terms of mechanical years, there has been a substantial development of properties, a rigid interface can lead to high levels of. C O stress transfer from the matrix to the fibers Environmental stability is another important major issue for advanced polymer composites. The interface between fibers (or fillers) and matrix can act as a pathway for corrosion that can lead to fibermatrix debonding, fiber pull-out and reduction of overall mechanical properties[2]. The understanding of the interfacial phenomena and the interface itself are crucial for the development of new composites with improved properties, the subject is clearly complex and far from being completely comprehended
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