Nondestructive FT-IR Sampling Technique to Study Glass Fiber Composite Interfaces

A nondestructive FT-IR sampling technique was developed to study glass fiber composites. Two coupling agents, γ-APS (γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) and γ-MPS (γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) were used to test the validity of the technique. The spectra obtained were compared with those obtained using the KBr pellet and diffuse reflectance techniques. The new technique was sensitive to changes in the coupling agent structure induced by heating, changing the drying environment, and pH. This technique could be used to monitor surface treatments on glass mats or to do quantitative studies of such systems in the 3800 to 1100 cur −1 range of the mid-infrared spectrum.