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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Interphase properties of carbon fiber-vinyl ester composites

Conference ·
OSTI ID:577598
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)
The decline in price of carbon fibers gives an economic incentive to reconsider the use of these reinforcements in markets previously deemed too expensive, such as the automotive industry. Additionally, it would be advantageous if carbon fibers could be immediately used with polymers and manufacturing methods currently used for the production of fiberglass composites, and thus minimize development and startup costs. Of particular interest is the use of carbon fibers in vinyl esters manufactured by resin transfer molding, a leading manufacturing technology for the production of large and complex shaped composite parts. However, carbon fiber-vinyl ester composites have inferior mechanical properties as a result of poor bonding between fiber and matrix. The objective of this program was to evaluate the physical and chemical mechanisms currently thought responsible for adhesion in order to improve the performance of carbon fiber-vinyl ester composites. The effect of carbon fiber surface treatment on fiber chemistry and topography was evaluated to uncover the fundamental mechanisms governing carbon fiber to vinyl ester adhesion.
OSTI ID:
577598
Report Number(s):
CONF-970431--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English