Interfacial behavior of graphene carboxyl‐grafted carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites at elevated temperatures: Emphasis on the effect of electrophoretic deposition time

Abstract

AbstractElectrophoretic deposition (EPD) for decorating carbon fibers (CFs) was established to augment the interface of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites and thereby their mechanical performance. In the current work, graphene carboxyl (G‐COOH) was grafted on to CF surface via EPD technique at three different deposition times, that is, 30, 45, and 60 min. The laminates obtained from these modified CFs were subjected to short beam shear (SBS) tests at room temperature (RT) and different elevated temperatures, that is, 70, 100, and 120°C. The effect of deposition time on mechanical behavior at various temperatures was evaluated. Modified composites showed a maximum improvement of ∼25%, ∼16%, and ∼13% in interlaminar shear stress (ILSS) values over neat composite at RT, 70, and 120°C, respectively. However, interestingly 100°C modified composites showed inferior shear behavior in comparison with neat composite. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the tested samples to find out the dominant mode of failure.