• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.299-303
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• 2018

In order to improve the interfacial bonding force and reaction polymerization degree of the carbon fiber reinforced nylon 6 composite material, the surface of the existing epoxy-sizing carbon fiber was desized to remove the epoxy and treated with urethane, nylon and phenoxy sizing agent, was observed. The interfacial bond strength of the resized carbon fiber was confirmed by IFSS (Interfacial Shear Strength) and the fracture surface was observed by scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the interfacial bonding strength of the carbon fiber treated with nylon and phenoxy sizing agents was higher than that of urethane - based sizing. It has been found that the urethane - type resizing carbon fiber has lower interfacial bonding strength than the conventional epoxy - sizing carbon fiber. This result shows that the interfacial bonding between carbon fiber and nylon 6 is improved by removing low activity and smoothness of existing carbon fiber.

• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.379-384
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• 2018

This paper aims to study flow characteristics of epoxy resin w.r.t. the sizing agents treated on the carbon fibers which have the same surface morphologies before sizing treatment. Dynamic contact angle (DCA) was measured to evaluate wettability of a single carbon fiber. Wicking test and Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) were performed to find relation between DCA measurement results and impregnation characteristics. In addition, surface properties of the carbon fibers such as surface free energy and chemical compositions were measured and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between the carbon fiber and the resin were experimentally characterized by using micro-droplet tests. According to these experimental results, the sizing agent for carbon fibers should have appropriate level of surface free energy and good chemical compatibility with the resin to reconcile resin flow characteristics and interfacial strength.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.2-6
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• 2010

The sizing treatments of PAN-based carbon fiber surfaces were carried out in order to improve the interfacial adhesion in the carbon fibers/nylon6 composite system. The parameter to characterize the wetting performance and surface free energy of the sized fibers were determined by a contact angle method. The mechanical interfacial properties of the composites were investigated using critical stress intensity factor ($K_{IC}$). The cross-section morphologies of sized CFs/nylon6composites were observed by SEM. As the experimental results, it was observed that silane-based sizing treated carbon fibers showed higher surface free energies than other sizing treatments. In particular, the KIC of the sizing-treated carbon fibers reinforced composites showed higher values than those of untreated carbon fibers-reinforced composites. This result indicated that the increase in the surface free energy of the fibers leads to the improvement of the mechanical interfacial properties of carbon fibers/nylon6 composites.