POS7-0169
Interfacial Engineering of Aramid Fibers with Tannic Acid–Epoxy Core–Shell Coatings for Flame Retardancy and Electrical Insulation
Topic
S7. Innovations in Polymeric Composites: From Design and Processing to Industrial Applications
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Heesuk KIM
Jinhye BAE
Presenter(s)
WONHUI JEONG (Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Aramid fibers are widely used in high-performance composites because of their exceptional specific strength and thermal stability. However, their chemically inert surfaces often result in weak interfacial adhesion with heterogeneous matrices, which can lead to mechanical delamination. In this study, we propose an interfacial engineering strategy to modify the inert surface of aramid fibers and simultaneously improve their thermal stability and flame retardancy through a core–shell coating architecture composed of tannic acid (TA) and epoxy.
In this system, TA functions not only as a bio-based reactive hardener for the epoxy resin but also as an intrinsic flame-retardant component. The coating structure and properties were systematically controlled by adjusting the TA-to-epoxy composition ratio. The phenolic hydroxyl groups of TA promote interfacial interactions between the aramid surface and the epoxy matrix, thereby acting as a molecular bridge. This integrated coating architecture further enables a synergistic nitrogen–carbon flame-retardant mechanism, which promotes the formation of a stable char barrier without the need for external flame-retardant additives.
Importantly, the proposed approach achieves simultaneous improvements in flame retardancy and electrical insulation. These results provide a promising route for developing next-generation high-strength fiber cables and infrastructure materials that require structural reliability, sustainable fire protection, and dielectric integrity.
In this system, TA functions not only as a bio-based reactive hardener for the epoxy resin but also as an intrinsic flame-retardant component. The coating structure and properties were systematically controlled by adjusting the TA-to-epoxy composition ratio. The phenolic hydroxyl groups of TA promote interfacial interactions between the aramid surface and the epoxy matrix, thereby acting as a molecular bridge. This integrated coating architecture further enables a synergistic nitrogen–carbon flame-retardant mechanism, which promotes the formation of a stable char barrier without the need for external flame-retardant additives.
Importantly, the proposed approach achieves simultaneous improvements in flame retardancy and electrical insulation. These results provide a promising route for developing next-generation high-strength fiber cables and infrastructure materials that require structural reliability, sustainable fire protection, and dielectric integrity.
