Comparison of F-12 aramid fiber with domestic armid fiber III on surface feature

A comparison of F-12 aramid fiber with domestic armid fiber III (DAF III) on surface feature was carried out by scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), elements analysis and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. It is found that the two aramid fibers are of "skin-core'' structure and fibrillar structure. The microfibrils orient along the fiber axis and rather poorly bond in transverse direction. Many defects exist on the surface of two fibers. Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen are the major elements of two aramid fiber. The element content of the same aramid fiber from surface to interior is different. The surface carbon contents of F-12 aramid fiber and DAF III are increased by 10.75% and 9.95% than those in fiber interior respectively, the surface nitrogen content decreased by 9.72% and 27.02% respectively, and the surface oxygen content increased by 13.99% and 37.95% respectively. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.