Abstract
AbstractThermostable polyimide (PI) was synthesized and used as a sizing agent to modify carbon fiber (CF) surfaces. In order to investigate the influence of the PI sizing agent on interfacial properties of continuous CF reinforced poly(ether‐ether‐ketone) (CF/PEEK) composites, a comparative investigation on the interfacial crystallization behavior of PEEK on CF surface with and without PI modification was performed by in situ polarized optical microscope (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The POM images showed that the unsized CFs acted as heterogeneous nucleating agents to accelerate the formation of transcrystals, whereas CFs with PI sizing agents reduced nucleation site density, inducing nonuniform crystal layers. Quantitative investigation on the kinetics of interfacial crystallization growth also revealed that the PI sizing agent was an obvious obstacle to nucleation and subsequent crystallization growth. Based on the Jeziorny‐modified Avrami model, nonisothermal crystallization kinetics was studied over a large range of cooling rates, whose results were found consistent with the results in POM observation. Moreover, a theoretical model was proposed to reveal the mechanisms for the considerable influence of the PI sizing agent on the interfacial crystallization behavior of PEEK in CF/PEEK composites, and the predication for other systems was also performed.
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.
