Hybrid carbon/PET/epoxy composites were prepared by a wet layup techni
que and characterized by standard methods of fracture and impact tests
. The influence of PET fibre surface treatment with polyfunctional ami
ne 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, differ
ential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and contact angle measurements. A si
gnificant hybrid effect of the PET/aminated fibres on the curing react
ion and T-g 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.