Study of interiaminar shear strength of rare earths treated aramid fiber reinforced epoxy composites

The treatment of aramid fibers with rare earth modifier solutions (ES) and the effects of RES concentration on interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of aramid/epoxy composites were investigated. Short-beam-shear (SBS) tests were used to determine the ILSS and the fracture surfaces if ILSS specimens were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Single aramid fiber tensile specimens were prepared by attaching a single fiber to a paper frame using epoxy resin. The results show that the ILSS of the aramid/epoxy composite could be improved considerably by RES surface treatment. The optimum performance of the aramid/epoxy composites was obtained at 0.5 wt% RES concentration.