ADHESION CHARACTERIZATION OF ALFA FIBRES IN UNSATURATED POLYESTER MATRIX

Polymer composite of an unsaturated polyester matrix with non-woven Alfa fibres hybridized with wool fibres and thermo-binder fibres (PE/PET) was characterized by different techniques in order to probe the interfacial region fibres/matrix. Dielectric measurements were performed in the frequency range 0.1 Hz - 1 MHz and temperature interval from ambient to 150°C. This study allows the analysis of the interfacial MWS relaxation using the Havrilliak Negami equation adopting the electric modulus formalism. The lowness of this relaxation intensity reveals a good adhesion of the fibres in the matrix. These results were confirmed by FT-IR technique which demonstrates the presence of hydrogen bonds between the fibres and the matrix. In addition the scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation exhibits a close contact between the fibres and the matrix.