Influence of the Film Former on Fibre-Matrix Adhesion and Mechanical Properties of Glass-Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastics

Abstract

Abstract The film former is in mass percentage the main component in most glass fibre sizes. Its influence on the fibre-matrix adhesion and the compound properties is studied in two thermoplastic matrices, i.e. polypropylene (PP) and rubber-modified styrene-co-maleic anhydride. The composition of the size is varied by changing the chemical nature and molecular mass of the film former and by leaving out the silane. The size's morphology on the glass fibres is studied with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect on fibre-matrix adhesion is inferred from 0° bending and interlaminar shear strength measurements of unidirectional, continuous fibre reinforced composites. The possible effect of the film former on matrix crystallinity in PP is studied with differential scanning calorimetry and polarized-light microscopy. The same sizes are also tested in injection moulded, short fibre reinforced compounds by measuring their mechanical properties. In addition, the diffusion of ...