Surface modification of Kevlar® fiber by a combination of plasma treatment and coupling agent treatment for silicone rubber composite

Abstract

To improve the adhesion between poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), PPTA, fiber and silicone rubber, the surface modification of PPTA was investigated. Combining plasma treatment and coupling agent treatment with the silicone adhesive was found to be effective in improving adhesion. The combination process made the pull-out force of the PPTA yarn/silicone rubber composite 2.5 times higher, compared with the plasma treatment or the coupling agent treatment alone. The plasma treatment led to the elimination of carbonized layer from the PPTA yarn surface and the formation of oxygen functionalities including C-O and C=O groups. The elimination of the carbonaceous deposits from the PPTA surface and the interaction between the silicone adhesive and the oxygen functionalities created by the plasma treatment contribute to the improvement of adhesion with silicone rubber.

Keywords:

• Kevlar®
• silicone rubber
• plasma treatment
• coupling agent treatment
• adhesion
• pull-out force
• ATR FT/IR