Effect of de-sizing on the structural and mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene composites molded by the novel direct fiber feeding injection molding technology

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites are rapidly emerging as alternative materials for auto parts due to recyclability, excellent stiffness, and strength to weight ratio. In the present study, the influence of carbon fiber de-sizing on the structural and mechanical properties of the sized and de-sized Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene (CFPP) composites molded by the recently developed novel Direct Fiber Feeding Injection Molding technology was studied. The effect of carbon fiber de-sizing on the structural properties was studied from the fiber dispersion status, fiber orientation factor, fiber volume fraction, and the fiber length. The surface morphology of the sized and de-sized carbon fibers was studied from the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscope images. The static mechanical properties were studied based on the tensile tests at different loading rate and temperature. The Dynamic Mechanical Analysis tests were conducted to analyze the dynamic viscoelastic behavior of the sized and de-sized CFPP composites. The SEM images were used to observe the failure mechanism. The preliminary results indicated that de-sized composites had better fiber dispersion as compared to the sized CFPP composites. It was found that de-sizing the carbon fiber surface does not significantly affect the carbon fiber length, fiber volume fraction, and fiber orientation in the CFPP composites. Also, the de-sized composites showed better static and thermodynamic mechanical properties caused by the enhanced fiber matrix interaction in CFPP composites as compared to the sized CFPP composites. [Formula: see text]

Nanomechanical properties of sized and de-sized carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

“…The values of parameters used to evaluate the interfacial shear strength are mentioned in Table 1. 16 The interfacial shear strength of sized and de-sized CF/PP composites was calculated to be 3.57 and 5.62 MPa respectively. 21…”

“…The values of parameters used in section 3.1 to evaluate the interfacial properties are mentioned in Table 1. 16…”

Effect of NH2-MWCNTs sprayed carbon fiber on the mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate composite for lightweight structural applications

“…CFRTP is projected to gain traction in the automotive industry as a result of improved fuel efficiency and inexpensive forming costs. 4,5 The properties of CFRTP composites can be significantly regulated by addressing a number of issues including interfacial bonding, matrix viscosity, impregnation quality, nanoparticle deposition techniques, and an appropriate fabrication method. 6 The first of these is the interfacial property which ensures the effective load transfer between the fiber and matrix.…”

Development of pulsating extensional stress induced melt mixer and its application for polypropylene/carbon fibers composites

“…Short carbon fibers (CFs) reinforced thermoplastics can exhibit excellent properties only after simple and efficient processes such as injection and extrusion, resulting in a wide range of applications. 1–4 The properties of carbon fibers reinforced polymers (CFRP) are affected by three main factors: the condition of CFs (including content, remaining length, orientation, and distribution, etc. ), the condition of the polymer matrix (including the degree of degradation, porosity, etc.…”