Effect of polyetherimide sizing on surface properties of carbon fiber and interfacial strength of carbon fiber/polyetheretherketone composites

The sizing process is almost invariably performed after the manufacture of carbon fiber (CF) and the sizing agent takes the effect of protecting CF surface. However, the traditional sizing agent is not suitable for processing continuous CF reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTPs) with high proce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPolymer composites Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 931 - 943
Main Authors Liu, Hansong, Zhao, Yan, Li, Na, Li, Shuang, Li, Xuekuan, Liu, Zhiwei, Cheng, Sheng, Wang, Kai, Du, Shanyi
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.02.2021
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Subjects
Carbon fiber reinforced plastics
Carbon fibers
fibers
interfaces
Interfacial shear strength
Interfacial strength
Mechanical properties
Polyether ether ketones
Polyetherimides
Polymer matrix composites
Shear strength
Sizing
Solvents
Surface energy
Surface properties
Surface roughness
thermoplastics
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Summary:The sizing process is almost invariably performed after the manufacture of carbon fiber (CF) and the sizing agent takes the effect of protecting CF surface. However, the traditional sizing agent is not suitable for processing continuous CF reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTPs) with high processing temperature. In this work, polyetherimide (PEI) is chosen as the sizing agent for CF reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) composites, and the sizing content as well as the type of sizing agent (including solvent‐based and emulsion type) were systematically researched. After a series of characterization of CF surface properties and interfacial strength of CF/PEEK, the improvement of interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and mechanical performances of sized CF/PEEK proves the enhancement of interfacial adhesion after sizing. CF/PEEK composites which contain CF handled by emulsion type sizing agent have good mechanical properties, indicating that it has the potential to replace solvent‐based sizing agent. Besides, the miscible feature of PEEK with PEI, the raise of CF surface roughness and surface energy might cause the reinforcement of interfacial mechanical properties. This research may create a potential way for CF production field, aiming at improving the interfacial performance of CFRTPs.
ISSN:0272-8397
1548-0569
DOI:10.1002/pc.25876