Interfacial Morphology between Ramie Fibers and Phenolic Resins: Effects of Plasma Treatment and Cure Cycle

Natural fiber–reinforced polymer composites offer many advantages over conventional composite materials, such as availability, low cost, inexpensive, lightweight, and high specific mechanical properties. However, the applications of these materials are still limited due to challenges in achieving a good interface between fibers matrix. This is highly influenced by fiber surface characteristics matrix Therefore, this study, ramie were modified using low-pressure plasma treatment order improve their phenolic resin. Furthermore, effects two different curing cycles (acid cure thermal cure) on properties short fiber-phenolic also investigated. A new method for making mats random was developed used fabrication containing plasma-treated fibers. The flexural all tested obtained fracture surfaces investigated LV-SEM. results indicate that both cycle conditions influence fiber–matrix consequently composites.