Mechanical characterization of the interfacial strength of glass‐reinforced composites

Abstract

A mechanical test system using a monofilament pullout technique has been utilized to investigate the interfacial bond strength of glass monofilament‐epoxy resin composites. The factors influencing the interfacial strength and hydrothermal stability of the glass monofilament‐epoxy resin composites have been studied including: varying the amount of thickness of the N‐2‐aminoethyl‐3‐aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (AAPS) coupling agent layers between the two substrates of the composite; the debonding effect of moisture and heat as the result of long term exposure; and the partial removal of the deposited silane coupling agent on glass by water, prior to composite preparation. It is found that a critical amount of the bifunctional silane coupling agent is necessary to improve the mechanical strength and hydrothermal stability of the composite interface. Partial removal by washing of the deposited aminosilane on glass, prior to composite preparation, irrespective of its original thickness, enhances the interfacial strength of the composite.