Hybrid C/PET/Epoxy composites

Hybrid carbon/PET/epoxy composites were prepared by a wet layup technique and characterized by standard methods of fracture and impact tests. The influence of PET fibre surface treatment with polyfunctional amine on the composite properties has been studied in order to determine the role of the fibre/matrix interface. The state of the fibre/matrix interface has been examined by several techniques, such as SEM, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and contact angle measurements. A significant hybrid effect of the PET/aminated fibres on the curing reaction and Tg of the epoxy matrix in the composites was established. It is probably due to the reaction between the amine groups of the fibre surface and the epoxy component of the resin, as determined by DSC.