Fluorinated aramid fiber reinforced polypropylene composites and their characterization

Polymer fibers are one of the main substances used for the reinforcement of plastic composites. Surface modification of aramid fiber was performed by direct fluorination. The crystallinity and the decomposition temperature of the modified fiber were increased. Scanning electron microscope shows that the roughness increases in the modified fiber. Composites were prepared by using modified and unmodified fibers. It was shown that the mechanical and thermal properties increase for modified fiber reinforcing composites. To reduce the fiber degradation or breakdown, composites were prepared by solution casting method. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:462–469, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers