Improved interfacial performance of carbon fiber/polyetherimide composites by polyetherimide and modified graphene oxide complex emulsion type sizing agent

Abstract

In the field of interfacial enhancement of composite, sizing method has attracted extensive attention. In this research, a new complex emulsion type sizing agent containing polyetherimide (PEI) and covalently chemical functionalized graphene oxide (GO) was first proposed to further improve the interfacial adhesion of carbon fiber (CF)/PEI composites, adapt to the high processing temperature, and overcome the shortcomings of the solution type sizing agent. The emulsion was prepared by the emulsion/solvent evaporation method. In order to avoid the agglomeration of nanomaterials on CF surface, the monomer and polymer structure of PEI was used to functionalize GO, so as to achieve better compatibility and dispersion of GO in PEI. The physicochemical state of CF surface was characterized and the successful introduction of GO was verified. The microbond test revealed that the introduction of GO further improved the IFSS compared with only PEI sizing. When GO grafted with PEI was used as the main component of the sizing agent, the IFSS reached the largest with an increasement of 55.96%. The mechanism of interfacial reinforcement was proposed. Increased ability of mechanical interlocking, the mutual solubility between PEI molecular chains, and the improvement in wettability may be beneficial to the interfacial strength. This mild and effective modification method provided theoretical guidance for the interfacial enhancement of composites and was expected to be applied in industrial production.

In‐plane compressive properties and failure mechanisms of modified three‐dimensional multi‐axial warp knitted fabrics reinforced composites at different temperatures

“…However, the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites are greatly affected by the interphase between fibers and matrix, 4 which exhibited gradient properties derived from stiff fibers to relatively weak matrix. 5 In the past decades, many methods have been proposed to improve the surface activity of carbon fiber, 6 basalt fiber, 7,8 glass fiber, 9 aramid fiber, 10 and other fibers. 11 By now, it was reported that graphene oxide (GO), 12,13 Mxene, 14 as well as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [15][16][17] have been widely applied in surface modification of fibers to improve mechanical properties of corresponding composites.…”

“…However, the mechanical properties of fiber‐reinforced composites are greatly affected by the interphase between fibers and matrix, 4 which exhibited gradient properties derived from stiff fibers to relatively weak matrix 5 . In the past decades, many methods have been proposed to improve the surface activity of carbon fiber, 6 basalt fiber, 7,8 glass fiber, 9 aramid fiber, 10 and other fibers 11 …”

The Relationship between Structure and Performance of Different Polyimides Based on Molecular Simulations

“…Thus, PIs are widely used in many fields, including aeronautical, electronics, and chemical industries [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Among these, thermosetting PIs are widely utilized in the field of aerospace as a structural matrix [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. However, there are many types of thermosetting PIs, and their different structures determine different performance characteristics.…”

Effect of perlite on the thermal conductivity, thermal degradation and mechanical properties of epoxy materials

“…Additional materials such as clay, fiber, glass fiber, glass graphite, woven graphite, boron, urea, formaldehyde are especially used as fillers. [15][16][17][18][19] With the use of such industrial waste materials, the production cost of EP is further reduced.…”