Interfacial Adhesion and Mechanical Properties of PET Fabric/PVC Composites Enhanced by SiO2/Tributyl Citrate Hybrid Sizing

Abstract

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric-reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites have a wide range of applications, but the interface bonding of PET fabric/PVC composites has remained a challenge. In this work, a new in-situ SiO2/tributyl citrate sizing agent was synthesized according to the principle of “similar compatibility.” The developed sizing agent was used as a PET surface modifier to enhance the interfacial performance of PET fabric/PVC composites. The morphology and structure of the PET filaments, the wettability and tensile properties of the PET fabric, the interfacial adhesion, and the tensile and tearing properties of the PET fabric/PVC composites were investigated. Experimental results showed that many SiO2 nanoparticles were scattered on the surface of the modified PET filaments. Moreover, the surface roughness of the modified PET filaments remarkably increased in comparison with that of the untreated PET filaments. The contact angle of the modified PET filaments was also smaller than that of the untreated ones. The peeling strength of the modified PET fabrics/PVC composites was 0.663 N/mm, which increased by 62.50% in comparison with the peeling strength of the untreated ones (0.408 N/mm). This work provides a new approach to the surface modification of PET and improves the properties of PET fabric/PVC composites.