The Effects of POSS on the Interlaminar Shear Strength of Marine Composites under Various Environmental Conditions

摘要

The fiber/matrix (F/M) interface of carbon/vinyl ester composites has been modified by surface treating the carbon fiber with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). The objective was to improve the durability of the F/M interface in various environments. Two POSS systems with different functionalities, namely octaisobutyl and trisilanolphenyl, have been investigated. Carbon fibers were soaked in a sonicated dispersion of POSS in a compatible solvent, then fabricated into layered composites using Derakane 8084 vinyl ester resin. Treated and untreated composite samples were immersed in three different environments: seawater at room temperature (SWRT), seawater at 40°C (SW40), and in 85% relative humidity at 50°C (HM50). After six weeks, POSS modified samples reduced water absorption by 20-32% and there was no degradation of the interlaminar shear strength.