Effect of surface treatment and sizing of c-fibres on the mechanical properties of cfr thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers

Abstract The paper describes a systematic study of oxidative surface treatment of carbon fibres by wet, dry and anodic oxidation. It is shown that in cases where thermosetting resins are used as the matrix, improvement of adhesion between fibre and matrix is caused by chemical interaction. The reactive surface oxides were identified by titration, desorption analysis and selective blocking treatment. The additional effect of sizing on adhesion between fibre and matrix is shown by reinforcement of thermoplastics such as polypropylene and polysulfone.