ABSTRACT:In composites consisting of a thermoplastic butadiene-styrene (SBS) elastomer matrix reinforced with oxidized short carbon fiber, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals the existence of matrix-fiber interactions, which are not detected when employing commercial carbon fiber. Interpretation of the dynamic properties and other parameters, such as equivalent interfacial thickness, and glass transition temperature, measured in terms of maximum damping temperature, as well as the apparent activation energy of the relaxation process, helps to explain the existence of such interactions.

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This work reports on the variations in specific surface, porosity, surface functionality and dimension of commercial carbon fibre subjected to oxidative treatment with nitric acid. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation did not reveal any topographic changes on the fibres, although crypton adsorption evidences increases in specific surface and microporosity.Oxidative treatment has an effect on fibre length, although it also slightly reduces the fibre diameter and the fibre strength, as measured in terms of the elastic modulus.Functional analysis by means of volumetric measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals an increase in the overall fibre surface acidity through carboxy group increase. Prolonged treatment gradually removes hydroxy groups from the fibre surface.