Light diffraction effects from Kevlar aramid fibers

The light diffraction phenomenon from Kevlar 49 fibers exhibits unusual polarization effects and its angular and wavelength dependence cannot be described by the grating equation. This unexpected behavior is analyzed by modeling the fiber as an anisotropic grating of finite thickness in which the diffraction arises from a periodic change in the orientation of the molecular dipoles. Theoretical predictions on this basis explain all available experimental observations. These findings are discussed in regard to currently proposed structural models for the fiber.     

Enhanced surface free energy of polyimide fibers by alkali treatment and its interfacial adhesion behavior to epoxy resins

In this article, polyimide (PI) fibers were modified by alkali treatment, and PI fiber-reinforced epoxy composites were fabricated. The effects of different alkali treatment times on the surface properties of the PI fibers and the adhesion behaviors of PI fiber/epoxy composites were studied. The surface morphologies, chemical compositions, mechanical properties, and surface free energy of the PI fibers were characterized by atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, single-fiber tensile strength analysis, and dynamic contact angle analysis, respectively. The results show that alkali treatment plays an important role in the improvement of the surface free energy and the wettability of PI fibers. We also found that, after the 3 min, 30 °C, 20 wt% NaOH solution treatment, the fibers possessed good mechanical properties and surface activities, and the interlaminar shear strength of the composites increased to 64.52 MPa, indicating good interfacial adhesion properties.     

Dielectric analysis of the interfacial polarization of alkali treated woven flax fibers reinforced epoxy composites

Dielectric measurements were performed on alkali treated flax fibers reinforced epoxy composites in the frequency range 0.1 Hz–1 MHz and the temperature range 40–170 °C. Two common dielectric relaxations were observed for all composites. The first one appearing at low temperatures was attributed to the water dipoles polarization due to the hydrophilic character of flax fibers. The second one observed at high temperatures was identified to the interfacial polarization. Analysis of this latter using the Havriliak–Negami model showed an improvement of the fibers/matrix adhesion by these alkali treatments. The best adhesion was obtained by the leaching treatment.     

General coupled-mode analysis for gain-guided, index-antiguided fibers, and index-guided fibers

Coupling properties of two gain-guided, index-antiguided (GG + IAG) fibers, or GG + IAG fibers and index-guided (IG) fibers, were investigated by the further general coupled-mode theory. The theory can explain any situation of two fiber coupling. The interesting results were obtained by the numerical computation method. For two GG + IAG fiber coupling, total power was decreased as rising real-valued refractive-index difference (real part of refractive-index difference between core and cladding, RVRID), while the power of one GG + IAG fiber was damped oscillations with increased core separation. In the GG + IAG fiber and IG fiber coupler, the variation of the RVRID could change coupling characteristics. These results are different from two IG fibers coupling, and the general coupled-mode theory may provide meaningful references for new concepts of directional coupler and pumping technology of GG + IAG fiber.     

Effects of argon plasma treatment on the interfacial adhesion of PBO fiber/bismaleimide composite and aging behaviors

This paper is concerned with the influence of argon plasma on the interfacial adhesion of PBO fiber/bismaleimide composites and aging behaviors. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) was greatly increased to 62.3 MPa with an increase of 39.7% after treatment for 7 min at 80 Pa, 200 W. A small amount of O and N atoms was incorporated onto the fiber surface, but the plasma caused C-O bonds to break and generated OC-N groups. The fiber surface roughness increased, contributing much to the wettability. However, long-time treatment excessively destroyed the inherent and newly created structures. The SEM images suggested that the fracture shifted from the interface to the matrix. The modification effects degraded with storage time in the air and the ILSS decreased to approximately 54.0 MPa after 10-30 days. The composite had low water absorption of 2.0 wt% and a high retention of 90% in the ILSS at moisture conditions.     

Surface modification of Angora rabbit fibers using dielectric barrier discharge

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) of Helium and Helium + air modify the surface of Angora rabbit fibers. DBD treatment carried out at different power densities, changes the morphology and chemical composition of the surface of Angora fiber. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results reveal that the DBD treatment eliminates fibrosity from the fiber surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) spectrum confirm the increase in oxygen bonding at the surface. These changes reduce shedding of the fibers and improve dye-uptake property. However, even after 10 min of plasma exposure the thermal insulation (heat keeping ratio) of Angora fibers nearly remain unchanged. It has been noticed that DBD treatment (10 min) reduces whiteness of the fiber.     

Diode-lasers based apparatus and method for single-mode fibers spectral splice loss measurements

Arc-discharge fusion splicing is widely used in the telecommunication industry for joining single-mode optical fibers to Er-doped fiber coils. These coils are used as the gain medium in erbium-doped amplifiers (EDFAs). The quality and integrity of splicing these coils to fibers can impact key EDFA performance parameters. This article describes an automated splice loss and Er-doped fiber absorption measurement system. The measurement system is equipped with 1310, 1550 and 1563 nm DFB lasers, broadband light source, InGaAs detectors and fiber-optic internal standards. Furthermore, the article describes a method for measuring splice loss between Er-doped fiber and the fibers spliced to coil ends. The system controls splice loss between SM-28 or HI980 fiber and Er-doped fiber to 0.094 ± 0.052 dB at 1550 nm. Moreover, the system can measure accurately Er-doped fiber absorption to within ±3.19% at 1563 nm.     

Surface treatment of single sisal fibers with bacterial cellulose and its enhancement in fiber-polymer adhesion properties

In this work, a simple and effective method to modify the surface of single sisal fibers with G. xylinum was described. Single fiber tensile strength test, single fiber fragmentation test, thermal gravimetric analyses were conducted to assess the effects of different modification methods (unmodified, NaOH treatment and BC treatment). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and water uptake experiments were employed to characterize the resulting interfacial adhesion. It was shown that BC treatment produced better reinforced polymer composites with improved mechanical and long-term properties. The results also elucidated that BC nanofibrils formed a dense three dimensional network on single sisal fibers covering the roughened surface and filling the grooves and other surface ‘defects’ caused by NaOH modification in addition to its exposed hydroxyl groups to form hydrogen bonds with sisal fiber, all contributed to enhanced mechanical properties of sisal fibers as well as the better binding between sisal fibers and resin matrix. Moreover, this work also confirmed that internal geometrical and morphological differences exist in sisal fibers and this result is insightful for future natural fiber research about the importance of careful selection of fibers for consistent comparisons.     

Preparation and properties of cobalt oxides coated carbon fibers as microwave-absorbing materials

Cobalt oxides/carbon fibers (CoO_x/CFs) composites were synthesized by thermal oxidation of cobalt coated carbon fibers (Co/CFs). The scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction pattern indicate that the layers are about 0.7 μm and composed of Co₃O₄ and CoO (CoO_x), the preferred condition for preparation of CoO_x/CFs composites is to anneal Co/CFs precursors at 350 °C for 3 h in air. The coercivity, saturation magnetization and residual magnetization of the CoO_x/CFs composites are 464.8 Oe, 10.62 emu/g and 2.21 emu/g, respectively. The reflectivity of cobalt oxides coated carbon fibers (1.11-5.12 mm in thickness) is less than −10 dB over the working frequency range of 4.04-18.00 GHz and less than −20 dB over 11.54-14.77 GHz. The lowest reflectivity is −45.16 dB at 13.41 GHz when the thickness is 1.50 mm.     

Wet oxidation behaviors of Hi-Nicalon fibers

Wet oxidation behaviors of Hi-Nicalon fibers were investigated in environment of PH₂O:O₂:Ar=14:8:78 kPa with a slow gas flow rate of 3.5 cm s⁻¹ above 1300 °C for 1 h. Experimental results indicated that oxidized Hi-Nicalon fibers were covered by silica. The weight gains and surface micromorphologies were strongly affected by temperature. Below 1500 °C, the surface of the oxidized fibers were rough-hewn and cracked, and there were no changes detected in fiber diameter. After oxidation at 1600 °C, the silica locally spalled and the fiber swelled in diameter. The Young-Laplace equation was applied to interpret surface micromorphologies change during wet oxidation of the specimens. The cracks in silica produced by oxidation and the microcrystal growth of the fibers at high temperature were considered for the strength degradation of the fibers.     

Design and analysis of multi-ring microstructured-core optical fibers

A novel design of single-mode large-mode-area optical fiber is presented. The core is composed of alternate high and low-index regions to form an effectively low-index contrast between the core and the cladding. The proposed fiber is investigated by the finite-element method with anisotropic perfect matched layer boundary conditions. In addition, the bending losses of the fibers are calculated and compared with those of the step-index optical fibers. In particular, numerical simulations demonstrate that single-mode operation can be achieved in one such fiber with mode area larger than 600 μm² at the wavelength of 1.55 μm and bending loss lower than 0.02 dB/m for bending radius greater than 20 cm.     

Effects of γ-ray radiation grafting on aramid fibers and its composites

Armos fiber was modified by Co⁶⁰ γ-ray radiation in the different concentrations’ mixtures of phenol-formaldehyde and ethanol. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) was examined to characterize the effects of the treatment upon the interfacial bonding properties of Armos fibers/epoxy resin composites. The results showed that the ILSS of the composite, whose fibers were treated by 500 kGy radiation in 1.5 wt% PF, was improved by 25.4%. Nanoindentation technique analysis showed that the nanohardnesses of the various phases (the fiber, the interface and the matrix) in the composite, whose fibers were treated, were correspondingly higher than those in the composite, whose fibers were untreated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum confirmed the increase in the polar groups at the fibers’ surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) results revealed that the surface of the fibers treated was rougher than that of the fibers untreated. The wettability of the fibers’ surface was also enhanced by the treatment. The conclusion that γ-ray irradiation grafting significantly improved the surface properties of Armos fibers could be drawn.     

Kevlar纤维表面接枝改性及其稳定化

文章试图通过化学处理方法在Kevlar纤维表面引入活性基团,从而达到对Kevlar纤维进行表面接枝改性的目的。采用红外光谱分析甲苯-2,4-二异氰酸酯(TDI)接枝kevlar纤维的表面组成,用己内酰胺及聚乙二醇PEG(400)对接枝物进行封端稳定化处理;分析了不同n_TDI∶n_PEG值对其产物表面组成的影响。实验结果表明,当n_TDI∶n_PEG=1∶3时, 接枝后红外谱图在3 300 cm-1处的吸收峰强度有所减弱,而在1 700～1 720 cm-1处得到加强;当n_TDI∶n_PEG=1∶1和1∶2时,接枝后红外谱图在3 300及1 700～1 720 cm-1处的吸收峰强度基本相同。n_TDI∶n_PEG=1∶3时稳定化效果最佳。     

Paracrystallinity-modulus relationships in kevlar aramid fibers

Meridional x-ray reflections of Kevlar (TM) aramid fibers have been analyzed to provide direct information about fine structure in the direction of the fiber axis. In particular, these reflections have been studied to provide evidence for a one-dimensional paracrystalline structure in Kevlar and to seek quantitative structure-property relationships based on a paracrystalline structure model. In a series of Kevlar fibers an excellent correlation is found between paracrystalline distortion factor g_II and tensile modulus, with g_II decreasing from 2.33% to 1.69% as modulus increases from 75 GPa to 125 GPa. Surprisingly, however, there is no systematic increase in axial crystallite length within this series in spite of heat treatment.     

Preparation,surface modification and microwave characterization of magnetic iron fibers

In this paper, magnetic iron fibers of 3–10 μm diameter and an adjustable aspect ratio were synthesized successfully by a method involving pyrolysis of carbonyl under a magnetic field. A surface modification technology was also investigated. The electromagnetic parameters of the iron-fiber–wax composites were measured using the transmission/reflection coaxial line method in the microwave frequency range of 2–18 GHz. The results show that the prepared iron-fiber–wax composites exhibit high magnetic loss that can be further improved after phosphating. On the other hand, the complex permittivity was significantly decreased after phosphating. As a result, this kind of iron fiber may be useful for thin and lightweight radar-absorbing materials.     

Roles of interfaces between carbon fibers and epoxy matrix on interlaminar fracture toughness of composites

The effect of atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment on high strength PAN-based carbon fibers had been studied in terms of fiber surface energetics and mode I and II interlaminar fracture toughness of unidirectional carbon fibers/epoxy matrix composites. The surface characterization of plasma treated carbon fibers was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angles. As a result, the plasma treatment changed the surface properties of the carbon fibers, mainly through formation of oxygen functional groups like hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups. According to contact angle measurements, it was observed that plasma treatment led to an increase in surface free energy of the fibers, mainly due to the increase of its specific component. Fracture toughness test results employing double-cantilever beam (DCB) and end notched flexure (ENF) specimens also showed that the increase in specific components or hydrogen bonding between the –OH groups on carbon fibers and the =O ring in epoxy matrix resins played an important role in improving the degree of adhesion at interfaces, resulting in an increase in the interfacial fracture toughness of the composites studied.     

Nanosecond laser damage resistance of differently prepared semi-finished parts of optical multimode fibers

Optical multimode fibers are applied in materials processing (e.g. automotive industry), defense, aviation technology, medicine and biotechnology. One challenging task concerning the production of multimode fibers is the enhancement of laser-induced damage thresholds. A higher damage threshold enables a higher transmitted average power at a given fiber diameter or the same power inside a thinner fiber to obtain smaller focus spots.In principle, different material parameters affect the damage threshold. Besides the quality of the preform bulk material itself, the drawing process during the production of the fiber and the preparation of the fiber end surfaces influence the resistance. Therefore, the change of the laser-induced damage threshold of preform materials was investigated in dependence on a varying thermal treatment and preparation procedure.Single and multi-pulse laser-induced damage thresholds of preforms (F300, Heraeus) were measured using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm wavelength emitting pulses with a duration of 15 ns, a pulse energy of 12 mJ and a repetition rate of 10 Hz. The temporal and spatial shape of the laser pulses were controlled accurately.Laser-induced damage thresholds in a range from 150 J cm⁻² to 350 J cm⁻² were determined depending on the number of pulses applied to the same spot, the thermal history and the polishing quality of the samples, respectively.     

Short sisal fiber reinforced polypropylene composites: the role of interface modification on ultimate properties

Sisal fibers have been used for the reinforcement of polypropylene matrix. The compatibilization between the hydrophilic cellulose fiber and hydrophobic PP has been achieved through treatment of cellulose fibers with sodium hydroxide, isocyanates, maleic anhydride modified polypropylene (MAPP), benzyl chloride and by using permanganate. Various fiber treatments enhanced the tensile properties of the composites considerably, but to varying degrees. The SEM photomicrographs of fracture surfaces of the treated composites clearly indicated the extent of fiber–matrix interface adhesion, fiber pullout and fiber surface topography. Surface fibrillation is found to occur during alkali treatment which improves interfacial adhesion between the fiber and PP matrix. The grafting of the fibers by MAPP enhances the tensile strength of the resulting composite. It has been found that the urethane derivative of polypropylene glycol and cardanol treatments reduced the hydrophilic nature of sisal fiber and thereby enhanced the tensile properties of the sisal–PP composites, as evident from the SEM photomicrographs of the fracture surface. The IR spectrum of the urethane derivative of polypropylene glycol gave evidence for the existence of a urethane linkage. Benzoylation of the fiber improves the adhesion of the fiber to the PP matrix. The benzoylated fiber was analyzed by IR spectroscopy. Experimental results indicated a better compatibility between benzoylated fiber and PP. The observed enhancement in tensile properties of permanganate-treated composites at a low concentration is due to the permanganate-induced grafting of PP on to sisal fibers. Among the various treatments, MAPP treatment gave superior mechanical properties. Finally, experimental results of the mechanical properties of the composite have been compared with theoretical predictions.     

光谱法研究MC尼龙6/芳纶复合材料的结构

将经甲苯二异氰酸酯(TDI)和己内酰胺改性的Kevlar纤维作为MC尼龙6的增强体,X射线光电子能谱观察到改性后纤维表面C,N和O元素的含量发生了改变,谱峰也相应发生变化。从红外光谱分析发现,Kevlar纤维和MC尼龙6相混所得谱图只是二者红外谱图的简单叠加,而改性Kevlar纤维可作为己内酰胺阴离子开环聚合的活性中心,且接枝链上的酰胺基可以与基体尼龙形成较强的氢键,有利于提高界面结合。XRD测试表明Kevlar纤维的引入并没有明显改变MC尼龙6的晶型,但其晶粒将具有更严格的三维周期性结构。在相同纤维用量时,改性Kevlar纤维增强的MC尼龙6的晶粒较未改性纤维的完善。当纤维含量小于2%时,纤维的加入有利于生成完善的α球晶,纤维含量大于2%时,α球晶结构含量随着纤维用量的增多反而下降。     

超高速撞击Kevlar纤维布填充防护结构研究

 利用二级轻气炮,对Kevlar纤维布填充Whipple防护结构进行了超高速撞击实验研究。基于Nextel/Kevlar撞击极限曲线,分析了单层及双层Kevlar纤维布填充防护结构的防护性能以及填充材料、舱壁的损伤情况。实验表明,Kevlar纤维布填充Whipple防护结构在低速区具有优良的防护性能。分层布局可改善Kevlar纤维布填充Whipple防护结构在低速区的防护性能。在低速区,Kevlar纤维丝主要依靠大量的塑性变形及断裂吸收弹丸的动能;在高速区,Kevlar纤维丝存在高温熔化及碳化现象,使弹丸破碎或熔化为更小的碎片或熔球,从而减轻对舱壁的损伤。