Ultra-High-Performance CNT/Carbon fiber/Polymer Multiscale Hybrid Composites with In-Situ-Polymerized Interface

Abstract

The interfacial properties in carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) are very important because they govern the overall mechanical properties of the composites. Modifying the carbon fiber surface with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is actively researched to reinforce the interface. However, most surface modification methods have limitations of their own, e.g., in CVD growth, high temperature in the range of 600-1000°C should be applied to grow the CNT on carbon fibers, which can lead to damages on the carbon fiber, adversely affecting the mechanical properties. In this study, CNT/carbon fiber/nylon multiscale hybrid composites were fabricated using interfacial polymerization of polyamide 6,10 (PA6,10), which involves synthesis of CNT/PA6,10 interphase at the interface between organic and aqueous phases. Carbon fiber was coated with PA6,10 incorporated with CNTs homogeneously. CNTs were dispersed in organic phase. The degrees of CNT dispersion in composites were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to assess the thermal stability of composites. Furthermore, the adhesion strength between carbon fiber and polymer was measured through fiber pull-out tests. © 2016, The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX).