Glass fiber reinforced ROMP-based bio-renewable polymers: Enhancement of the interface with silane coupling agents

摘要

In this study, the influence of silane coupling agents on interfacial adhesion in glass fiber reinforced polymers from the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a linseed oil-based monomer and dicyclopentadiene is investigated experimentally. Two types of silane coupling agents, norbornenylethyl-dimethylchlorosilane (MCS) and norbornenylethyltrichlorosilane (TCS), are examined. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) is evaluated by the microbond technique. The IFSS increases by about 150% for the MCS-treated fibers and by about 50% for the TCS-treated fibers compared to untreated fibers. Dynamic mechanical analysis of composite panels made with untreated and silane-treated fibers reveals that MCS-treated fiber composites have the highest storage modulus and glass transition temperature, indicating strong interfacial interactions at the glass/matrix interface. Short beam shear tests and scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces also confirm that MCS is more effective than TCS at improving interfacial adhesion.