Concentration Effect of gamma-Glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane on the Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber-Epoxy Composites

In this study, glass fibers. were modified using gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane of different concentrations to improve the interfacial adhesion at interfaces between fibers and matrix. Effects of gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane on mechanical properties and fracture behavior of glass fiber/epoxy composites were investigated experimentally. Mechanical properties of the composites have been investigated by tensile tests, short beam tests, and flexural tests. The short-beam method was used to measure the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of laminates. The tensile and flexural properties of composites were characterized by tensile and three-point bending tests, respectively. The fracture surfaces of the composites were observed with a scanning electron microscope. On comparing the results obtained for the different concentrations of silane solution, it was found that the 0.5% GPS silane treatment provided the best mechanical properties. The ILSS value of heat-cleaned glass fiber reinforced composite is enhanced by similar to 59% as a result of the glass fiber treatment with 0.5% gamma-GPS. Also, an improvement of about 37% in tensile strength, about 78% in flexural strength of the composite with the 0.5% gamma-GPS treatment of glass fibers was observed. POLYM. COMPOS., 30:1251-1257, 2009. (C) 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers