Kevlar 149 fibers were surface-modified by chlorosulfonation and subsequent reaction of -SO2Cl with some reagents (e.g. glycine, water, ethylenediamine, and 2-butanol) to improve the adhesion to epoxy resin. The mechanical properties and surface topography of the modified fibers were investigated at different reaction times and reagent concentrations. The surface functional groups introduced into the surface of the fibers were identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and static secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between the fibers and epoxy resin was measured by the microbond test. The results showed that the IFSS was markedly improved (by a factor of 2.25) by the chlorosulfonation/glycine treatment and that the fiber strength was not affected. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used to study the surface topography of fibers pulled from the epoxy resin. Furthermore, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy was used to qualitatively examine the amount of sulfur in the fiber surfaces and in the fracture surfaces of fibers from microbond pull-out specimens. The results of EDX examination were consistent with a change of the fracture mode from the interface between the fiber and the epoxy resin to a location within the fiber and/or epoxy resin as observed by SEM.
