A Fourier transform Raman study of water sorption by Kevlar-49

Abstract

The Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectrum of poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide) (Kevlar-49) is reported, Additional bands, not observed in the conventional Raman spectrum have been assigned. The changes to the FT-Raman spectrum of Kevlar due to the presence of water have also been examined. As a consequence of the intensity changes to certain Raman modes in this preliminary study it is postulated that water molecules from liquid-like clusters between the crystallite regions of Kevlar fibres.