Using electrochemically initiated radical polymerization to develop novel sizings for carbon fibers in high temperature applications.

Abstract

A fundamental requirement for a high performance carbon fiber reinforced composite is a high degree of interfacial adhesion allowing for efficient stress transfer from the polymeric support to the reinforcing fibers. In high temperature applications (greater than or equal to 500 C), the fiber ‘sizing agent’ which is provided from manufacturers is largely unstable and decomposes well before these temperatures are reached, resulting in a poor fiber-to-adhesion. In lieu of a commercial sizing agent, carbon fibers used in these applications are coated in a mixture of naphthalene and aluminum(III) chloride, which serves to graphitize and provide some degree of adhesion. This project seeks to use the innate conductivity of the carbon fibers as a means to grow polymers onto the surfaceof the carbon fibers which are prone to graphitization at high temperatures.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Oct 20, 2022
Source ID
FA23861914022

Entities

People

  • Luke Henderson

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Deakin University
  • United States Air Force

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Reinforced Composite Materials