Effect of carbon fiber surface modification on properties of carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced composite materials

One of the most important factors affecting the properties of carbon fiber reinforced composite materials is the interface bond strength between the carbon fiber / polymer. Surface treatment and sizing applied to carbon fiber play an important role in improving the interface properties. In this study, carbon fibers are subjected to chemical surface treatment and silane modification before epoxy prepregs are produced. Then, the properties of the composite plates obtained from prepregs were investigated by various characterization methods. The chemical treatment applied to the carbon fiber surface increased the oxygen containing functional groups on the fiber surface to form additional binding sites with epoxy. The silane modification significantly increased the processability of the fibers and fiber/ polymer interface adhesion by forming a protective coating on the fiber surface. © 2019, Chamber of Textile Engineers.