UV-assisted surface modification of PET fiber for adhesion improvement

A facile and highly efficient method for adhesion improvement of PET/TPU laminates was introduced. A considerable improvement in adhesion was achieved by treating PET fabric with isocyanate (MDI) in toluene solution. Compared with unmodified ones, the maximal peel strength reaches to 2.27 kN/m (up to three times). The fabrics were also treated with NaOH and CDT (corona discharge treatment) and the results were compared respectively. It is considered that the improvement mainly depends on the strengthening of chemical bonding and mechanical interlocking between the fiber and the adhesive matrix. As the difference directly affects the effective transference of the stress (tension force) from matrix to fiber. The failure surface of PET fiber was severely destroyed which could be examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Published by Elsevier B.V.