The role of fibre/matrix interactions on the dynamic mechanical properties of chemically modified banana fibre/polyester composites

The role of fibre/matrix interactions in chemically modified banana fibre composites were investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis and compared with those of untreated fibre composites. The dynamic modulus value and damping parameter, used to quantify interfacial interaction in composites were investigated with special reference to the effect of temperature and frequency. Increased dynamic modulus values and low damping value show the improved interactions between the fibre and the matrix. The damping peaks were found to be dependent on the nature of chemical treatment. Both storage modulus and damping values measured experimentally are consistent and point to the effectiveness of silane A174 coupling agent (gamma-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane) for improving fibre-matrix adhesion. Activation energy values for the transitions of the composites were determined from Arrhenius plots. Cole-Cole plots were made to evaluate the heterogeneity of the system. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.