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 (? 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 surface of the carbon fibers which are prone to graphitization at high temperatures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 2022
- Source ID
- FA23861914022XX0
Entities
People
- Luke Henderson
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Deakin University
- United States Air Force