Glass fibre sizing effect on dynamic mechanical properties of cyanate ester composites - I. Single frequency investigations

In order to investigate sizing effect in composite materials, we studied three types of composites, with different sizings. Dynamic mechanical analysis appeared to be a good way to characterize the alpha relaxation process of composites and their interphases. Results showed that a relaxation temperature shifted to higher temperatures for composites without sizing. Study of sizing extract/resin blend showed too that interphase was a mixture of polyvinyl acetate and cyanate resin. The results allow us to deduce that a plastification effect of resin by sizing could occur, with modification of cross-link density. Moreover, we can think that all resin is affected by sizing and the conversion rate in interphase is not total. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.