"Complete" system monitoring of polymer matrix composites

In situ, real time analysis of the chemical interactions occurring within t he interphase of fiberglass fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites (PMC s) has been accomplished through utilization of fiber optic sensors. The fi ber size, as well as the composition of the thin cladding, closely approxim ates industrial fiberglass fibers, which allows the fibers to function simu ltaneously as model fiber-reinforcements and evanescent wave sensors. Using this sensor technology, the current research has shown that reactions occu rring between the fiber surface, adsorbed silane coupling agent, and polyme r can be monitored using FT-NIR spectroscopy. Two PMC systems have been cho sen to demonstrate the ability to monitor complex interphase chemistry in s itu and in real time. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.