Tensile properties of glass fiber reinforced PTFE using a rare-earth surface modifier

The optimum amount of rare earth surface modifier for modifying glass fibers, and its influence on the tensile properties of glass fiber reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), was analyzed. Glass fiber (GF) was used to improve the properties of polymer composite materials. The rare earth modifier was absorbed onto the glass surface and created a distorted region near the fiber surface through chemical bonding and physical adsorption. The tensile properties of GF/PTFE composites modified with an alcoholic solution of LaCl3 (RES) is affected mainly by the overall rare earth compound content in the RES.