Ionized-Air-Treated Curaua Fibers as Reinforcement for Phenolic Matrices

Curaua fibers were treated with ionized air to improve the fiber/phenolic matrix adhesion. The treatment with ionized air did not change the thermal stability of the fibers. The impact strength increased with increase in the fiber treatment time. SEM micrographs of the fibers showed that the ionized air treatment led to separation of the fiber bundles. Treatment for 12 h also caused a partial degradation of the fibers, which prompted the matrix...