Improving the interfacial and mechanical properties of short glass fiber/epoxy composites by coating the glass fibers with cellulose nanocrystals

In this study, the interfacial and mechanical properties of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) coated glass fiber/epoxy composites were investigated as a function of the CNC content on the surface of glass fibers (GF). Chopped GF rovings were coated with CNC by immersing the GF in CNC (0-5 wt%) aqueous suspensions. Single fiber fragmentation (SFF) tests showed that the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) increased by ~69% in composites produced with CNC...