Treatment of the carbon fibers surface for use as reinforcement in unsaturated polyester composite

Abstract EN

The purpose of this research is to determine the effects of etching treatments on carbon fibers bundles surface that are to be used as reinforcement material in unsaturated polyester matrix to make thermosetting composites.

Five different oxidation temperatures effect were evaluated for carbon fibers.

The five oxidation temperatures included : 500, 525, 550, 575, and 600 ˚C.

Open molding technique was used to prepare test samples.

These samples were then tested to determine the flexural and impact strengths relevant to material performance.

The use of oxidation treatment (etching) for carbon fiber at 550 ˚C for one hr improved flexural strength by 13 % in comparison with un treated carbon fiber and yields the highest flexural strength ; this changes the mode of composite fracture from growth of an interfacial crack to growth of a crack perpendicular to the fiber axis.

Further impact strength improved by 6 % using oxidation treatment at 500 ºC in still air for one hr.