Influence of the fibre/matrix interface on ageing mechanisms of glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites (PA-6,6, PET, PBT) in a hygrothermal environment

A study of the properties of short glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites based on poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate) and polyamide-6,6 in an aggressive environment is reported. The influence of the fibre/matrix interface on the composite behaviour in a moist environment is especially studied. Competitive phenomena may explain differences observed according to the nature of the fibre surface treatment. Among them these characteristics may be an intrinsic fragility of some chemical interfacial bonds, the hydrophilicity of some chemical groups, the presence of long macromolecular chains neighbouring the interface or of a transcrystalline interfacial area. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.