Effect of carbon fiber surface treatment on the flexural strength and interfacial properties of carbon fiber-polyester composite

Abstract EN

In the current work, the effect of carbon fiber surface treatment on mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester (CFRP) was investigated.

An extreme dependence for the interaction strength in unsaturated polyester -carbon fiber system is established and its effect on the mechanical properties of CFRP and the influence of the fiber treatment on the bonded strength between fiber- resin systems is clarified.

Two methods were developed in surface treatment, the first one deal with release of epoxy layer (desizing) which coated carbon fiber.

The second one deals with release epoxy layer and etching carbon fibers with special solution.

It was found that both methods tend to intensify the adhesion of thermosetting resin to carbon fibers owing to a more developed surface of the reinforcing fibers after surface treatment.

It's found that the treatment of carbon fibers is efficient and considerably improves the flexural strength of CFRP.

Etched carbon fibers improve flexural strength of composite materials by 20 % in comparison with untreated one.