Abstract
In this study, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) was irradiated by an electron-beam. To assess the absorbed dose rate influence on its mechanical properties, the beam energy and absorbed dose were fixed, while the absorbed dose rates were varied. The tensile strength (TS) and Young’s modulus (YM) were evaluated. The irradiated CFRTP TS increased at absorbed dose rates of up to 6.8 kGy/s and decreased at higher rates. YM showed no meaningful differences. For CFRTPs constituents, the carbon fiber (CF) TS gradually increased, while the HDPE TS decreased slightly as the absorbed dose rates increased. The OH intermolecular bond was strongly developed in irradiated CFRTP at low absorbed dose rates and gradually declined when increasing those rates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that the oxygen content of irradiated CFRTPs decreased with increasing absorbed dose rate due to the shorter irradiation time at higher dose rates. In conclusion, from the TS viewpoint, opposite effects occurred when increasing the absorbed dose rate: a favorable increase in CF TS and adverse decline of attractive hydrogen bonding interactions between HDPE and CF for CFRTPs TS. Therefore, the irradiated CFRTP TS was maximized at an optimum absorbed dose rate of 6.8 kGy/s.
Highlights
Fiber-reinforced plastics possess low specific density but are high-strength compared with metals; they are widely used in various industrial fields such as the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries [1,2,3,4]
In the case of carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP), tensile strength (TS) increased from 157 ± 3.6 MPa to 166 ± 2.5 MPa when increasing the absorbed dose rate from 3.4 kGy/s to 6.8 kGy/s; TS decreased to 156 ± 4 MPa for absorbed dose rates above 13.5 kGy/s
We studied the influence of the absorbed dose rate on the mechanical strength and
Summary
Fiber-reinforced plastics possess low specific density but are high-strength compared with metals; they are widely used in various industrial fields such as the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries [1,2,3,4]. Several efforts have been made to overcome this limitation by functionalizing the CF surface using chemical (acid treatment, adding coupling agents) or physical (plasma, UV-ozone, ionizing radiation) treatments to improve the interfacial adhesion between CF and the thermoplastic matrix [11,12,13,14]. Chemical treatments of CF have several disadvantages compared to physical ones such as environmental pollution by inevitable use of toxic chemical agents, and the potential of deterioration in CFRTP mechanical properties when CF treatment is not conducted under precise control. In contrast to these chemical treatments, electron-beam irradiation technology is a rapid, simple, eco-friendly, and mass-producible processing method.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
