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Carbon-fiber surface treatments for improved adhesion to thermoplastic polymers

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6952172

The effect of anodization in NaOH, H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, and amine salts on the surface chemistry of carbon fibers was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface of carbon fibers after anodization in NaOH and H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ were examined by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), angular dependent XPS, ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectroscopy of the anodization bath, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and polar/dispersive surface energy analysis. Hercules AS-4, Dexter Hysol XAS, and Union Carbide T-300 fibers were examined by STEM, angular dependent XPS, and breaking strength measurement before and after commercial surface treatment. The fibers from the three companies were anodized to create a similar surface chemistry on each fiber. XPS was used to compare the surface chemistry after anodization. Adhesion of carbon fibers to polysulfone, polycarbonate, and polyetherimide was studied using the fiber critical length test. Oxygen and nitrogen were added to the fiber surfaces by anodization in amine salts. Analysis of the plasmon peak in the carbon 1s signal indicated that H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ anodization affected the morphological structure of the carbon-fiber surface.

Research Organization:
Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA)
OSTI ID:
6952172
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English