ON CRYSTALLINE INTERFACES IN COMPOSITE-MATERIALS

The fiber/matrix interactions across the interface in composite materi als include a wide range of chemical, mechanical and physical processe s, depending on the nature of the constituents in question. In composi tes of thermoplastic polymer matrices a specific interaction is feasib le that results in nucleation and crystallization of a transcrystallin e layer on the fiber surface. Such a layer is characterized by a highl y ordered structure and different mechanical and physical properties c ompared to the bulk matrix, and it may generate significant changes in the behavior of the composite material. From the aspect of applicatio n the properties of the composite are of prime interest, and thus the question of the effect of transcrystallinity on the composite properti es becomes essential. In this paper we scan and review our main observ ations on a number of specific systems that we have investigated recen tly, contributing to the accumulation of sufficient relevant data for some meaningful generalizations to be attempted, despite the high comp ositional variability of composite materials and, in turn, of transcry stallinity.