Measurement of adhesion between fibers and fast curing elastomer resin

A method was developed to measure the adhesion between fibers and fast curing elastomer, in droplet form, using the microbond pull‐out method. Samples were fabricated by arranging the fibers as a grid on which elastomer droplets were formed for testing. A droplet sliding test method was developed to investigate the nature of the sites of the droplets on the fiber after displacement of the droplets. Fibers of polyester, aramid, and HMW‐polyethylene were tested with resins of polyurethane and natural rubber latex. The fibers had been surface‐treated by corona, gamma radiation, or methanol extraction. The shape of the droplets was determined by microscopic measurement. The shear strength of the fiber/matrix bond was tested using a microvise grip in a tensile strength tester.