Influence of hydrolytic and chemical treatment on the mechanical properties of aramid and copolyaramid fibers

Commercial PPTA fibers (Kevlar 49(R) and Twaron 1055(R)) and copolyaramid fibers (Trevar(R)) are subjected to various hydrolytic and chemical treatments. Tensile modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break are measured, and mechanical property deterioration is compared. Copolyaramid fibers show improved hydrolytic stability and chemical resistance compared to PPTA fibers. The time dependence of degradation processes can be described by two decreasing exponential functions, WAXS measurements detect only slight differences in the crystalline structure and superstructure of the treated fibers. Thus, the main origin of mechanical degradation is the destruction of intercrystalline links such as tie molecules or tie crystallites.