Use of titanate coupling agents in Kevlar (trade name)/phenolic composites

Technical Report · Sat Apr 02 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:7070953

Menon, N; Blum, F D; Dharani, L R

Surface modification of Kevlar(R) fibers with titanate coupling agents for improved adhesion of the fiber and resin in Kevlar(R)/phenolic composites has been attempted to explore the possibility of enhancement in adhesion and bulk properties of composites for friction materials. Titanate coupling agents were used and flexural properties of the Kevlar(R)-fiber reinforced composites determined. A study of different amounts of the coupling agents at the fiber-matrix interface suggested that 2% by weight of fiber was the optimum amount, in terms of improvement in flexural properties. The composite samples with the coupling agents, showed an increase in flexural strength, over the untreated samples with the maximum increase being approx. 18% over the control. Water absorption studies were conducted on Kevlar(R)/phenolic composites treated with organotitanates to determine the effectiveness of these coupling agents in improving resistance to moisture attack. The treated Kevlar(R)/phenolic composite samples exhibited greater resistance to moisture-ingress over the untreated samples. The control samples showed a decrease of 17% in flexural strength. The largest decrease in strength was 14% for the treated samples containing coupling agent tetrakis(2-ethylhexyl)titanate (TYZOR TOT). Recovery in strength on reconditioning, was also greater for treated samples over control. A recovery in strength of ca. 94% was seen for some treated samples. Coupling agents, Composites, Kevlar, Interfaces, Mechanical properties.

• Research Organization: Missouri Univ., Rolla, MO (United States). Dept. of Chemistry
• OSTI ID: 7070953
• Report Number(s): AD-A-279200/0/XAB; UMR-FDB--37
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603* -- Materials-- Properties
ADHESION
ARAMIDS
DEPOSITION
FIBERS
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYMERS
REINFORCED MATERIALS
SURFACE COATING
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TITANATES
TITANIUM COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS