Radiation effect on stability and interfacial property of PBO fibers through high energy electron beam

Abstract

Poly-p-phenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) fibers have been studied and applied in many extreme environments owing to their excellent physical, mechanical properties and great chemical inertness. Here, radiation effect on PBO fibers is investigated through high energy electron beam with a high adsorbed dose up to 100 MGy. Changes of structure, mechanical strength, molecular weight and interfacial property are investigated in detail. It can be found that the structure and mechanical strength do not change obviously. Results of XPS and relative viscosity retention rate show a high radiation resistance of PBO fibers at below 10 MGy. Though PBO fibers can be degraded under over 50 MGy in a certain degree, the relative viscosity retention rate is still over 85% even at the absorbed dose of 100 MGy. Results of optical contact angle and interfacial shear strength of fiber/epoxy composite indicate the interfacial reaction activity decreases under 100 MGy. Therefore, it can be inferred that PBO fibers show a high radiation stability and an increasing trend of the interfacial inertness with the increase of absorbed dose. Through this work, it can provide references for PBO fibers application in the extreme environment.