INTERFACE MODIFIED GLASS FIBER/THERMOPLASTIC MATRIX COMPOSITE

GLASS FIBER-REINFORCED THERMOPLASTIC RESIN COMPOSITES CURRENTLY SHOW UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE ADHESION AT THE FIBER/RESIN INTERFACE. INTERFACE MODIFICATION BY APPLICATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURE POLYIMIDE RESIN COATINGS TO GLASS FIBERS WILL GREATLY IMPROVE GLASS FIBER/THERMOPLASTIC RESIN INTERACTION. THIN, CONTINUOUS, POLYIMIDE COATINGS WILL BOND TENACIOUSLY TO GLASS FIBER SURFACES AND INTERACT STRONGLY WITH THE THERMOPLASTIC RESIN MATRIX. THE POLYIMIDE FILMS WILL ENCAPSULATE INDIVIDUAL GLASS FIBERS, PROTECTING THEM FROM ABRASION DAMAGE DURING CONSOLIDATION AND MOISTURE INCURSION UNDER HOT/WET CONDITIONS. PHASE I OF THIS PROGRAM WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FEASIBILITY OF PRODUCING POLYIMIDE RESIN INTERFACEMODIFIED GLASS FIBER/THERMOPLASTIC RESIN COMPOSITES THAT ARE MORE THAN 40 PERCENT HIGHER IN SHEAR STRENGTH, COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND RESISTANCE TO FATIGUE DEGRADATION AND RESISTANT TO HOT/WET CONDITIONS.THIS WILL RESULT FROM IMPROVED GLASS FIBER/THERMOPLASTIC MATRIX INTERACTION. MICROSCOPIC AND INFRARED ANALYSIS OF POLYIMIDE-COATED GLASS FIBERS AND THEIR COMPOSITES WILL PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE MECHANISM OF INTERFACE MODIFICATION. IN PHASE II WE WILL OPTIMIZE THE PROCESS AND PRODUCE, THICK, INTERFACE-MODIFIED GLASS FIBER/ THERMOPLASTIC RESIN MATRIX COMPOSITES FOR EXTENSIVE CHARACTERIZATION.