The improved interface performance between carbon fiber and poly(ether‐ether‐ketone) by sulfonated polyether sulfone (s‐PSF) sizing agent with different sulfonation degree

Abstract

The effects of sulfonated polyether sulfone (s‐PSF) with different sulfonation degrees on the interfacial properties of carbon fiber (CF)/poly(ether‐ether‐ketone) (PEEK) composites were investigated systematically. The performance of the modified CF and the corresponding CF/PEEK composites and was tested and characterized. Test results show that the CF surface polarity increases, the surface contact angle decreases, and the surface free energy increases with the increase in the s‐PSF sulfonation degree. Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that the increase in the sulfonation degree of s‐PSF is beneficial to improve the interface between CF and PEEK. This condition can be ascribed to the hydrogen bonding force between the s‐PSF sulfonic acid group and the polar functional group on the surface of the modified CF and the compatibility between s‐PSF and PEEK. In terms of physical properties, the thermal and mechanical properties of CF/PEEK composite are improved with the increase in s‐PSF sulfonation degree. The interlaminar shear strength, flexural strength, and modulus of CF/PEEK composites increase by 60.16%, 30.27%, and 19.30%, respectively.

Improvement of interfacial interactions in CF/PEEK composites by an s‐PSF/graphene oxide compound sizing agent

“…The water absorption properties of the CF/PEEK composites were characterized (Figure 10(b)). In a previous experiment 30 . we found that the water absorption rate of Bare‐CF/PEEK is 0.3%.…”

“…The TGA (Figure 11) results are shown in figure. In a previous study, we found that the thermal decomposition temperature of s‐PSF is 410°C 30 . The decomposition temperature of the s‐PSF(GO) sizing agent after addition of GO was reduced to approximately 400°C but remained higher than the processing temperature of the CF/PEEK composites.…”

Improving the interface of carbon‐fibre‐reinforced poly(ether‐ether‐ketone) composites with fibre surface coating: a review

“…Reacting with the CF surface to form an interface layer is difficult. Therefore, the following problems exist in the preparation of CF/PEEK composites: 18–20 CF and PEEK surfaces are inert without chemical bonding. PEEK has high melt viscosity, and the resin matrix can hardly infiltrate CF. The surface of CF is relatively smooth, and the mechanical interlocking performance between the resin matrix and CF is poor. Researchers primarily study the interface interaction between PEEK and CF from three aspects: (1) modified PEEK resin matrix, (2) modified CF surface and (3) preparation of high‐performance fibre surface coating. Amongst these aspects, coating on the CF surface is the most effective method to improve the interaction between CF and PEEK (Fig.…”

“…Reacting with the CF surface to form an interface layer is difficult. Therefore, the following problems exist in the preparation of CF/PEEK composites: [18][19][20] (1) CF and PEEK surfaces are inert without chemical bonding.…”

Improved interfacial adhesion in carbon fiber/poly (ether ether ketone) composites with the sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) sizing treatment

“…A polyethersulfone (PES) emulsion sizing agent was applied to improve the interfacial adhesion of CF/PES composites based on the improved interfacial compatibility 19 . Sulfonated polyether sulfone (s‐PES) sizing agent was used to improve the interfacial adhesion of CF/PEEK composites based on the hydrogen bonding force between the s‐PSF sizing agent and activated CF and the compatibility between s‐PSF and PEEK 21 . Poly (aryl indole ketone) (PAIK) sizing agent was prepared by Wang et al and was used to improve the interfacial adhesion of CF/PEEK composites due to the strong cation‐π interaction between PAIK and activated CF, increased surface roughness of CF, as well as good compatibility between PAIK and PEEK 22 .…”