ABSTRACTS

The following is a list of the abstracts for papers which will be presented in the SECOND INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON INTERFACES IN POLYMER COMPOSITES The listing is alphabetical by presenting author. This list is updated continually to add abstracts as they become available and make appropriate corrections. This list may be conveniently searched by using the editor provided with most popular browsers (e.g. Microsoft Explorer, Netscape, ... etc.)

Photo Chemical Polishing of Fused Silica Glass Using Hf Produced With Photo-dissociation of Fluorocarbon Surface and Water

The fluoric acid produced (HF) by the photochemical reaction on the fluorocarbon and the water etched the thin molecular layer of the fused silica glass surface, which resulted in the highly precise grinding of the silica glass with no polishing scars. The ArF laser irradiated, and the water was photo-dissociated to produce H and OH, the C-F bond (128kcal/mol) of the fluorocarbon (FEP). The H atoms pulled out the F atoms of the fluorocarbon to produce HF. By using the HF, a highly precise polishing of a fused silica glass was achieved with water that is softer than the processing material by using a photochemical reaction and the ultra short pulses of ArF laser, whose method is called PCP (Photo Chemical Polishing). The fused silica sample ground with the #800 carbonrundum was placed on the fluorocarbon pad, which was turned on with the polishing pressure of 50 g/cm2 and the rotational speed of 10 rpm as a result, 1 nm in the roughness of the fused silica glass was obtained with the laser fluence of 25mJ/cm2 and the pulse reputation of 100 pps for 60 minutes.

Tickling the Surface of Biomaterials

(Abstract not yet available)

Quantifying the Interfacial Shear Strength of Short Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyesters. DROPPED OUT

The interface is an important factor controlling the performance of fiber reinforced composites. Therefore, it is imperative to optimize the interfacial shear strength. It is the only factor that improves the composite properties without detrimentally impacting other important properties. Two strategies employed to increase the interfacial shear strength are sizing of the glass fiber and additives introduced during compounding the matrix and fiber. During the manufacture of glass fibers, a sizing is applied to the glass surface as the fiber exits the platinum bushings. Sizings are a formulation of a film former, coupling agent, lubricant, and anti-static agent in which the film former and coupling agent are the most significant in effecting the interfacial shear strength. The sizing protects the fibers during production and assists in maintaining the mechanical integrity of the fibers during processing. Moreover, the sizing interfaces with the matrix and the fiber effecting the quality of the bonding. Therefore, judicious selection of the sizing is highly important. Another method of improving the fiber-matrix interface is the use of additives that are combined with the matrix and fiber during compounding. Typical additives in thermoplastic polyester composites are thermal and oxidative stabilizers, nucleating agents, plasticizers, coloring agents, and fillers. Each additive serves its prescribed purpose; however, many also influence the interface. Many of the "stabilizers", such as multi-functional epoxies, are not truly stabilizers but actually chain extend the polyester during processing and react with the film former and silane coupling agent. To optimize the interfacial shear strength, the interactions between the resin, additives, film former and silane coupling agents need to be accounted for. This presentation will focus on the key variables that effect the mechanical properties of short glass fiber reinforced polyesters with a particular attention to the quantification of the interfacial shear strength.

The Influence of Surface Modifications on Glass Fiber/polyester Interphase Properties

Uncoated glass fibers and pre-cleaned planar glass substrates were subjected to the low temperature plasma and/or the wet-chemical process to modify the fiber or substrate surface and influence interphase properties of the glass/polyester system. A) Plasma-polymerized thin film (interlayer) of organosilicon monomer (hexamethyldisiloxane, vinyltriethoxysilane, or a mixture of tetravinylsilane and oxygen gas) was deposited in RF helical coupling plasma system on the glass surface. B) Commercial silane coupling agent (vinyltriethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) was coated on an unmodified glass surface from the standard solution during the conventional process. C) Plasma pre-treatment (argon, oxygen) followed by the conventional wet-chemical process was applied to promote the interfacial bonding between the glass and the siloxane interlayer. Bonding at the glass/interlayer interface was analyzed by employing a micro-scratch tester together with an optical polarizing microscope for the planar samples. Results revealed that the adhesion bonding could be controlled by plasma process parameters. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopies enabled characterization of the surface morphology for interlayers and pre-treated substrates. The surface roughness and the organic functional group (vinyl), analyzed at the film surface by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, are important factors for a strong bonding at the interlayer/polyester interface. A low power (< 0.01 W/cm³) had to be applied during the continuous- or pulsed-plasma process so that the vinyl groups could be preserved at the interlayer (plasma polymer) surface. Model composites (single filament embedded in polyester resin) were tested to evaluate an efficiency (interfacial shear strength, interfacial fracture energy) of the glass fiber/polyester interphase by using microbond and fragmentation tests. Our study indicated that a more efficient interphase could be prepared if plasma process is utilized.

Physico-chemical and Mechanical Characterization of Newly Developed Polymer Composite by Utilizing the Waste of Plastic and Textile Fiber Material

(Abstract not yet available

Thermo Analytical Study of Newly Developed Composites via DTA/TG Curves

(Abstract not yet available)

Vinyl Chloride - Vinyl Acetate Copolymer - Lignin Composites

Previously, characteristics such as curing, morphology, interaction between polymers, miscibility, mechanical and physical have been evaluated in studies of polyurethane-lignin, epoxy-lignin and other polyblends with different technical lignins. In all cases some of the properties where enhanced by lignin (L) presence.

The present paper deals with a composite based on vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate (VC-VAc) copolymer in which the last one was partially replaced by an organosolv L.

It is well known that the properties of thermoplastic blends with L are strongly influenced by the degree of association of L macromolecules. Our approach for decreasing this degree of association was through the use of plasticizers.

The research program was done in the following three steps:

-Finding a good plasticizer for L. For its selection several plasticizers compatible with VC-VAc copolymer and having a solubility parameter closed to that of L were screened.

-Preparation and characterization of polyblends of VC-VAc copolymer with L and the selected efficient plasticizers for L

-Preparation and characterization of highly filled composites based on VC-VAc copolymer, L (15-30 parts), selected plasticizers and filler (calcium carbonate).

The stress-strain diagrams as well as DSC and FTIR results suggest that morphology of each VC-VAc copolymer-L composites be strongly influenced by the type of plasticizer. However, the mechanical and thermal properties of VC-VAc copolymer - L composites are quite difficult to be correlated with the plasticizer efficiency in respect to L.The presence in these composites of several kinds of secondary bonds such as filler-plasticizer, VC-VAc copolymer - plasticizer, L-plasticizer, filler-filler (when wet by copolymer or polyblend), copolymer-filler, polyblend-filler, could be responsible for differences in morphologies which in turn affect the properties.

Polymer Nanocomposites

(abstract not yet available)

Erosion Resistant Properties of POSS-Containing Polymer Toward Hyperthermal Atomic Oxygen

(Abstract not yet available)

1) Radiation and Polymer Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, P. O. Box 3787, Dhaka-1000, BANGLADESH

2) Composite Materials and Structures Center, 2100- Engineering Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1226

Effect of Novel Coupling Agent on the Improvement of Interfacial Bond Strength and Mechanical Properties of Unidirectional Jute-vinyl Ester Composite

The interfacial bond strength can be optimized only when the relationship between the level of fiber-matrix adhesion and the mechanical and fracture behavior of composite clearly understood. This study establishes the relationship between jute fiber-vinyl ester interfacial bond strength in both 0° (longitudinal) and 90° (transverse) directions of the composites. Thermodynamic properties such storage modulus, loss modulus and tan d of the composite were performed in 0° (longitudinal) direction. To improve these properties the surface of jute yarns were modified with 2-hyddroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Both untreated and treated jute yarns were characterized by FTIR, ESEM and XPS to study the interfacial properties. FTIR and XPS spectra showed that the deposition of HEMA in the jute surface. Rough surfaces of treated yarns were observed by ESEM. Improved mechanical properties such as shear strength (12 MPa), tensile strength (130 MPa) bending strength (225 MPa) were observed as a result of surface treatment. The enhanced storage modulus 10.5 GPa of HEMA treated jute composites was obtained which is 300% and 200% higher than that of VE and composite of untreated yarn. The tan d values of composites were found minimum with compared to pure resin VE. The tensile fracture surfaces were investigated by ESEM. The results of ESEM showed that better interfacial adhesion with treated jute composite compare to untreated one.

Polymer Material Science at the NIST Combinatorial Methods Center

New, more complex materials are increasingly in demand for applications in biotechnology, microelectronics and nanotechnology. The use of combinatorial methods -- which comprise a special set of tools and techniques -- enables scientists to conduct many experiments on many materials at the same time. We will discuss how scientists are using this methodology to learn more about materials and their structure, properties and processing, data, which can help manufacturers, accelerate the development of new materials. Breaking away from the traditional one-at-a-time testing of materials, combinatorial methods allow researchers to rapidly explore a wide range of characteristics of materials -- in parallel and on a miniaturized scale -- such as the effects of temperature, thickness and composition. Collections of materials and properties called "libraries" are created in this way. Researchers can easily compare these characteristics, screening for what works and what doesn't, and generating data to help construct predictive models. The high-throughput nature of combinatorial methodology, however rapidly generates a high volume of data so that data analysis becomes a key bottleneck in exploiting this technology for specific applications. The chemical and material science communities are now considering the possible ways how this "disruptive technology" can be used to accelerate the process by which knowledge is discovered and products and processes developed to meet the advanced materials needs of the 21st century.

1) Centre for Materials Science Research, The Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK.

2) The Slovak Technical University, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Department of Plastics and Rubber, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.

1,3-Phenylene Dimaleimide: The Versatile Reactive Interphase Modifier

The interphase modification activity of 1,3-phenylene dimaleimide (also known as m-phenylene bismaleimide (BMI)) has been studied in a range of polyolefin matrix materials in combination with a variety of fillers of differing surface pH. BMI was found to be a unique product that very often led to significant simultaneous improvements in composite strength and toughness, even at the high filler levels and with acidic and basic fillers. BMI also has the added advantage of being an in-situ added interphase modifier, therefore filler surface modification processes can be eliminated.

Hydrolysis of the imide results in production of an amide carboxylate that interacts strongly with the filler surface. The maleimide alkene reacts with polymer macro-radicals giving rise to the matrix coupling effect. In multi-phase polyolefin systems such as impact modified polypropylene, the competitive shear induced chain scission/crosslinking reactions of the matrix, together with additions to, and self-polymerisation of, the maleimide alkenes, can lead to interesting filler encapsulation effects. With impact modified PP/Mg(OH)₂ composites (containing 60% w/w Mg(OH)₂) BMI modification leads to encapsulation of the filler with the ethylene-rich impact modifier phase and enhanced crystallisation of the surrounding PP phase, this effect gives rise to much improved strength and toughness, even relative to the unfilled matrix.

Novel Glass Fiber Sizings Based Upon Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Silane Chemistry

Future Army systems have been envisioned that are lighter, faster, and more deadly than their existing counterparts. Lightweight polymer matrix composite materials have been proposed as candidate materials to meet these anticipated needs. It is now widely understood by the composites community that a three dimensional region exists in the near vicinity of the fiber-matrix boundary that possesses different properties than either the fiber reinforcement or the matrix resin. This interphase region develops due to a number of mechanisms and can greatly influence the overall structural performance of the composite material, including strength, durability, fatigue resistance, and damage tolerance. For lightweight composites to be used for multifunctional integral armor applications they must have optimized performance in terms of both ballistic protection and structural integrity. Empirically, it has been recognized that the microstructure and properties at the fiber-matrix interface/interphase strongly affect the energy absorption during ballistic impact events. Recent research has indicated that specific micromechanical mechanisms, including fiber-matrix debonding and frictional sliding, during fiber pull-out can be the source of substantial energy absorption. The achievement of an optimal balance between the structural and ballistic performance of composite armor will require the control of the interphase response, specifically through the use of silane coupling agents. For this research mixed organo-functional silane coupling agents will be used to control fiber-matrix debonding. The time and temperature dependence of the fiber-matrix bond strength as a function of reactive silane surface coverage will also be examined. To increase frictional sliding during fiber pull-out inorganic sol-gel chemistry, through the use of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), will be investigated as an artificial surface roughening scheme. The hydrolysis, surface deposition, condensation, and crosslinking of TEOS in the presence of traditional silane coupling agents will also be studied. Surface roughness will be characterized via AFM and frictional pull-out will be measured via microdrop debond testing.

1) Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Str. 6, 01069 Dresden, GERMANY

2) "V. A. Bely" Metal-Polymer Research Institute, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Kirov Str. 32a, 246050 Gomel, BELARUS

New Approach to Characterization of Acid-base Parameters of Solid Surfaces by Combining Wetting And Igc Techniques

The acid-base component of the work of adhesion between a solid surface (e.g., of a polymer) and a polar liquid is often expressed in the form of a "linear free energy relationship" (LFER):

F^ab = X_i Y_j

where X_i and Y_j are acid-base properties of the solid, X, and the liquid, Y, and F is a suitable thermodynamic potential which may or may not be a free energy term.

We propose a new LFER-like approach, in which F^ab = -DH^ab is the acid-base part of enthalpy of solid-liquid adhesion, and the acid and base parameters for liquids are Gutmann's (corrected) acceptor number, AN^*, and donor number, DN, respectively. As a result of this choice, solid surfaces are characterized by an acid parameter, k_a, and a base parameter, k_b, such that

-DH^ab = k_a . DN + k_b . AN

Parameters k_a and k_b have dimensions of mol/m² and are related to surface concentrations of acid and base sites (n_a and n_b) on the solid surface. On the other hand, the popular "acid-base characteristic parameters" for solids, K_A and K_B, obtained using the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) technique, characterize energies of individual local acid-base bonds and, contrary to the common opinion, do not depend on the number of these bonds. In this paper, we demonstrate how combined application of the two complementary techniques, IGC and wetting, makes possible the calculation of the number of acid-base bonds at the interface and the estimation of their energy. All discussions are illustrated by our contact angle data, obtained by wetting four different solid surfaces (polymer coatings on glass plates) by six test liquids. Possibilities for the application of a multiliquid self-consistent approach, in which acid and base parameters of all solid surfaces and liquids can be determined simultaneously, is discussed.

Cyclic Loading of Single Fiber Model Composites to Investigate Interphase Properties

Clearly, a fiber/matrix composite is actually a fiber/interphase/matrix composite. Although there are no simple and quantitative relationships available for interphase optimisation, the interphase influences many bulk mechanical properties like shear strength, shear modulus, off-axis strength, compression behaviour, fatigue durability and environmental stability. Understanding the fundamental properties of interphase, therefore, is very important. Reliable control of the degree of adhesion between fiber and matrix is a fundamental requirement if a composite is to be a useful structural material. However, it is still a challenging assignment to characterize the adhesion strength in today's advanced composite materials.

A new method is presented for detecting interphase time-dependent properties. An attempt is made to bridge the currently unfilled gap between the micro-mechanical features drawn from laboratory-scale single fiber model composites and the mechanical behavior based on high volume fraction bulk composites. The new apparatus allows for elongation-controlled cyclic loading of single fiber model composites in tension and compression. The stresses are applied at the end of the fixed fiber in stress waves with frequencies of 0.01 to 20Hz. The data derived from the hysteresis loops are the phase angle between elongation (0.1 to 5 m) and resulting force, storage/loss energies, and stiffness/damping. The phenomenon of interphase occurs under both elastic conditions and inelastic ones. The cyclic loading of single fiber technique was demonstrated a highly useful tool for the characterization of the durability of the interphase influenced by different sizings. Compared with other micromechanical techniques aimed at adhesion strength measurement, this new method was also used to study the interfacial friction in already debonded regions, and in turn to evaluate the fatigue behavior in composites only influenced by different interphases. Finally, the presentation refers on the agreement with macromechanical fatigue testing results and on the emphasis to study the interphases in a nanometer scale.

Relevance of Microstructure Analysis For Interface Characterization of Industrial Materials

The design and manufacturing of specialty chemicals shows increasing emphasis on miniaturization and functionality. Design of chemical building blocks with submicrometer dimensions can lead to products with improved performance, as demonstrated by many "nanotech-based" materials. This design requires the availability of characterization tools for microstructure analysis. Such instrumentation should preferably combine microscopical and local chemical analysis.

For the performance of polymer-based products, e.g. coatings and resins, fibers and polymer additives/catalysts, surfaces and interfaces play an important role. At the hand of some "real world" examples, it will be shown that state of the art microstructure analysis techniques, including XPS, ToFSIMS, AFM, SEM and TEM, are key for the understanding of structure-performance relationships. In particular, the combination of these techniques, i.e. a multi-analytical approach, gives added value to specialty chemicals industry.

Amino Group Substitution on Pet Film and Collagen Sell Adhesion For Artificial Ligament

The PET has been widely used for medical materials such as an artificial ligament because of its strength and antibacterial action. However, when transplanted in human bodies, its compatibility is not good enough to adapt to the collagen that grows from living body tissues. Then we substituted amino group, which has a high affinity for collagen, on the PET surface by ArF laser. PET is highly hydrophobic and does not dissolve well in aqueous solutions. To avoid this reaction we make a thin ammonium fluoride solution layer on the PET surface with capillary phenomenon. Then an ArF laser beam was irradiated vertically onto the sample. The result of this treatment shows that an untreated sample having the contact angle of 80° with water and the bonding strength of only 1.0 kg/cm 2 with collagen was improved to have the contact angle of 22° and the bonding strength to be 12 kg/cm 2. When the treated sample had been implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of a rabbit's regions dossals, existence of leukocyte colonies that are indicators of human histocompatibility was confirmed on the hydrophilic parts of the sample.

Blacksburg, VA 24061

Interfaces in Functional Polymer Composite Systems

Functional material systems are a new frontier in materials science, but such systems are widely used in applications such as solid state fuel separation systems and fuel cells. In the case of fuel cells, such materials appear in the membrane, the electrodes of the system, and the catalyst layers. In addition to mechanical (structural) requirements, these materials function as conductors of charge (electrical, ionic, or both), conductors of heat, and conductors of gases and fluids (transport). The science and engineering of producing such materials is relatively well established, and widely discussed. However, in the operation of such functional systems, the critical element is the interface between the different kinds of functional materials, especially the interfaces between the membrane electrolyte and the electrodes on either side in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. In fact, those interfaces control not only the initial properties and performance of the PEMs, but they are also the principal contributors to changes in local material states that control the reliability and long-term performance of such cells. The present paper will describe this problem in detail, recount some of the issues and phenomena that seem to contribute to the problems, and outline approaches to the description and analysis of those problems. Examples from the literature and from the author's laboratory will be used for illustration.

Interfacial Properties of Polymer Composites Based on Natural Products; Cellulose Acetates Reinforced with Sisal Fibres

During the last years efforts have been made to investigate the suitability of natural fibres as reinforcement component in both thermoplastic and thermoset composites. In this work the matrix consist of a polymer also based on natural raw materials. The polymer is a cellulose acetate butyrate or a cellulose acetate propionate. The fibre used is a sisal fibre and this fibre has been modified with different plasma treatments in order to improve the interfacial interactions between the fibre and the matrix. The interfacial properties of the fibre and the polymer have been correlated to the mechanical properties of the different composites and fracture surfaces have been analysed with ESEM (environmental scanning electron microscopy).

The sisal fibres have been treated with oxygen plasma as well as with ammonium plasma. It was found that oxygen plasma makes the fibres more hydrophilic, the contact angle versus water decreases and the O/C ratio from XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) increases after treatment. The oxygen plasma probably etches the surface of the fibres so that waxes and extractives are removed from the surface; it is also possible that oxygen-containing groups are formed at the surface. This is beneficial for the interaction with the rather hydrophilic cellulose acetate polymers. The use of ammonium plasma on the other hand results in more hydrophobic fibre surfaces.

Penang, MALAYSIA; Moisture Absorption and its Influence on the Tensile Properties of Acacia Mangium Wood Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene

(Abstract not yet available)

Interfacial Interactions Between Polymer Matrix and Nanoreinforcement

Because the polymer matrix in a composite material is often more hydrophobic than the reinforcement, the interface is always a critical issue in the production of polymer composites. In conventional composites the interface plays a determining role in the reinforcing effect of reinforcements. In the world of nanocomposites, in which the reinforcement dimensions are on the nano-scale, the interface becomes even more important because it determines the quality of dispersion and the thermodynamic stability of the system.

This paper will present the effects of interfacial interactions between the polymer matrix and the nano-layered silicate on the properties and performance of the resulting nanocomposites. Different products were obtained by controlling the chemistry of the nano-reinforcement surface and of the coupling agent, when necessary, as well as the processing conditions. Model systems have been studied to better understand the chemistry involving the functional groups. The knowledge obtained was used to design the processing parameters for the fabrication of the nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the interactions between the components. Finally, the relationship between the interfacial interactions and the microstructure and the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the materials has been evaluated.

ArF Laser-induced Photochemical Nucleation of Copper on PET Surface

Copper nuclei was grown on a PET surface in the copper sulfate water solution ambience with only one shot of ArF laser. $B!! (BConsequently, even the printed board of low conductivity might generate a high frequency noise due to the difference between the copper foils and adhesive agents. If atoms composing plastics and metal could be combined by a chemical method, a hybrid material made of both plastics and metal would be produced. The sample surface was photo-oxidized with the Xe2 excimer lamp in pre-treatment. A fused silica glass was placed on the sample surface, and the sulfate water solution was poured into the gap between the glass and the sample to form a thin liquid layer. Then, the sample was vertically irradiated once by the circuit patterned ArF laser light with the laser fluence of 28mJ/cm2. The photo-dissociated copper atom formed the C-O-Cu bond with active oxygen to substitute on the PET surface. The modified sample was, then, immersed in the electro less plating solution at 60 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes; the copper thin film of about 24mm was grown on the modified surface.

Enhanced Interfacial Adhesion of Carbon Fibers via Plasma Polymerization Coating

Unsized AS-4 carbon fibers were subjected to RF plasma etching and/or plasma polymerization coating in order to enhance adhesion to vinyl ester resin. Ar, N₂ and O₂ were utilized for plasma etching, and acetylene, butadiene and acrylonitrile were used for plasma polymerization coating. Etching and coating conditions were optimized as a function of plasma power, treatment time and gas (or monomer) pressure by measuring the interfacial adhesion strength. Interfacial adhesion was evaluated with micro-droplet specimens prepared with vinyl ester resin and plasma etched and/or plasma polymer coated carbon fibers. Surface modified fibers were characterized by SEM, XPS and FT-IR and a-Step, DCA and tensile strength measurements. Among the treatment conditions, a combination of Ar plasma etching and acetylene plasma polymer coating provided greatly improved interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of 69MPa, compared to 43MPa obtained from as-received carbon fiber. Based on the SEM analysis of failure surface and load-displacement curves, the failure occurred at the interface of plasma polymer coating and vinyl ester resin. Gas plasma etching provided preferential etching of fiber surface along the draw direction and decreased tensile strength, while plasma polymer coatings did not change the surface topography of fibers or tensile strength. Water contact angle decreased with plasma etching, as well as acrylonitrile and acetylene plasma polymer coating, but no change occurred with butadiene plasma polymer coating. FT-IR and XPS analysis revealed the presence of functional groups in plasma polymer coatings.

Enhanced Properties of Epoxy Molding Compound (EMC) via Plasma Polymerization Coating of Silica Fillers

Silica for Epoxy Molding Compounds (EMC) was coated via plasma polymerization using an RF plasma (13.56 MHz) as a function of plasma power, gas pressure and treatment time. Monomers utilized for plasma polymer coatings were 1,3-diaminopropane, allylamine, pyrrole, 1,2-epoxy-5-hexene, allylmercaptan and allylalcohol. The EMC samples were prepared from biphenyl epoxy resin, phenol novolac, triphenyl phosphine and plasma polymer coated silica, and the loading of silica was controlled to 60wt%. The EMC samples were cured at 175 °C for 4 hours and subjected to Tg, CTE and water absorption measurements. The adhesion of silica to epoxy resin was evaluated by measuring the flexural strength of EMC samples and the fracture surfaces were analyzed by SEM. Plasma polymer coatings were also characterized by FT-IR and coating thickness measurements. DSC analyses were also carried out with the samples prepared from biphenyl epoxy resin, phenol novolac (curing agent), and optionally triphenylphosphine (catalyst). The plasma polymer coating of silica with 1,3-diaminopropane and allylamine greatly enhanced the flexural strength of EMC samples (167MPa and 165MPa), compared to the control sample (140MPa), and exhibited a higher T_g, a lower CTE, and a lower water absorption. In DSC analysis, all samples with plasma polymer coated silica fillers showed a single big peak and additional one or two smaller exothermic peaks, compared to the single big peak observed from as-received silica fillers when catalyst was added. Therefore, the enhanced properties with 1,3-diaminopropane and allylamine plasma polymer coatings can be attributed to the amine functional groups in the plasma polymer coatings, as evidenced by FT-IR and XPS analysis, and further supported by contact angle measurements.