Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Mahfuz, Hassan

Abstract

The degradation of polymer composites in moist environments is a limiting factor in the advancement of composite technology. The key to mitigate this degradation is to maintain the integrity of the fiber/matrix (F/M) interface. In this study, the F/M interface of carbon/vinyl ester composites has been modified by treating the carbon fiber with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). Two POSS systems, namely octaisobutyl and trisilanolphenyl, have been investigated. A set of chemical and mechanical procedures has been developed to coat carbon fibers with POSS, and fabricate layered composites using vinyl ester resin. lnterlaminar shear, transverse tension, and low velocity impact tests on composites have indicated around 10-38% improvement in mechanical properties with respect to control samples. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) tests have also shown significant improvement in glass transition temperature (T9). Hygrothermal tests, under various environments, have demonstrated that POSS reduces water absorption by 20-30%.

Extent

92 p.

Comments

College of Engineering and Computer Science|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|College of Engineering and Computer Science

Identifier

FA00012540

Format

pdf

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