Creating a laminated carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic using polypropylene and nylon with a polypropylene colloid

Abstract

Carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTPs) have been studied for application in vehicles because they are very light and strong as well as having a short manufacturing time and high recyclability. However, for this material to be applied to automobiles, the bending strength of CFRTP needs to be higher. In this study, a technique was developed to enhance CFRTP using polypropylene (PP) and nylon (PA6) to make laminate structures, wherein a PP colloid was prepared using a surfactant and adsorbed onto carbon fibers (CFs) using an electrodeposition system. The interfacial shear strength between the thermoplastic and the CF was enhanced by the adsorption of PP colloids, which improved the mechanical properties of the CFRTP. The bending strength of the unidirectional laminated structure of the CFRTP was enhanced as the layer thicknesses of the PP and PA6 became thinner. This technique reduced the cost of producing CFRTP, while producing a higher bending strength.