Characterization of a thermoset-thermoplastic interphase using the atomic force microscope

Recent investigators have shown that the performance of polymer matrix composites can be significantly enhanced by using fibers sized with a thermoplastic polymer. This increase in performance is a result of the sizing material interacting with the matrix resin to form an interphase: a region possessing a gradient in properties different from the sizing material and the matrix resin. Although the influence of the sizing (interphase) on laminate properties has been well documented, quantitative information regarding interphase properties is absent. In this study, {open_quotes}model{close_quotes} composites consisting of polyurethane sized carbon fibers embedded in a vinyl ester matrix were fabricated to characterize the interphase. The atomic force microscope was used to identify the interphase region in these {open_quotes}model{close_quotes} composites.