Adhesion kinetics of polybutylene terephthalate to E-glass fibres

A number of polymer composite properties, including toughness, strength, fatigue life and resistance to environmental attack, are influenced by the degree of interaction between the polymer and reinforcing filler or fibre. The adhesion kinetics of a thermoplastic resin, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), to E-glass fibres are examined with a single fibre "microdebond" test. The goal of the study was to determine what effect processing time and temperature have on the PBT/E-glass interfacial bond and, in turn, to better understand how these variables might influence the final composite properties. 15 ref.--A.R.