Carbon–epoxy composites based on fibers coated with nylon 6,6: hygrothermal ageing versus interlaminar shear strength

Carbon fibers were coated in situ with a thin film of polyhexamethylene adipamide by an interfacial polycondensation technique. The modified fibers were used for the preparation of epoxy-based unidirectional composites. Specimens of these materials were immersed in water until equilibrium conditions were attained. The weight gain at equilibrium was determined as a function of the immersion temperature, the fiber volume fraction and the polyamide content deposited on the fibers. Water penetration in specimens made with uncoated carbon fibers increases when the volume fraction decreases. Introduction of the polyamide interlayer initially increases the water absorption, but reduces it at higher immersion temperatures and/or higher polyamide contents. The treated specimens were subjected to the short beam test to determine the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). The data show that the ILSS decreases with water penetration but increases when the immersion temperature increases from 40 to 70°C. The overall performance encountered is discussed in terms of the possible roles of the polyamide interphase while taking into account mechanisms concerned with matrix plasticization, interphase degradation and residual stress relaxation.