Effect of fiber surface treatment on the incorporation of carbon nanotubes and on the micromechanical properties of a single-carbon fiber-epoxy matrix composite

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) previously treated with a cationic polymer were incorporated on the surface of carbon fibers modified by three different chemical treatments, namely, oxidation, oxidation-silanization and oxidation-pre-impregnation. Prior to the incorporation of the MWCNTs, the ph...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: M. F. Munoz-Velez, A. Valadez-Gonzalez, P. J. Herrera-Franco
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Budapest University of Technology and Economics 2017-09-01
Series:eXPRESS Polymer Letters
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Online Access:http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0008077&mi=cd
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Summary:Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) previously treated with a cationic polymer were incorporated on the surface of carbon fibers modified by three different chemical treatments, namely, oxidation, oxidation-silanization and oxidation-pre-impregnation. Prior to the incorporation of the MWCNTs, the physical surface properties of the fibers were studied by contact angle and the chemical surface properties by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of the different systems carbon fiber-MWCNTs-matrix was evaluated using the single-fiber fragmentation test (SFFT) and it was observed that the IFSS of the oxidized-pre-impregnated fibers, was considerably higher than that observed for the other fiber-matrix systems. This was attributed to enhanced interfacial interactions because the fiber surface treatments improved the wettability of the carbon fiber and the MWCNTs, which resulted in a better fiber-matrix mechanical interlocking and to the formation of covalent bonds between the different phases of the composite.
ISSN:1788-618X