Preparation of unsaturated self-emulsifying polyester sizing agents for improving interfacial and mechanical properties of carbon fiber/vinyl ester resin composites

Abstract

In order to promote the interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber and vinyl ester matrix, a series of unsaturated self-emulsifying anionic polyester sizing agents were designed. The results indicated that the sizing agents exhibited a uniform particle size distribution at the nanometer level and demonstrated favorable thermal stability below 200 °C. As the content of double bonds of sizing agents increases, the glass transition temperature also increases, and the moisture absorption of sized carbon fiber decreases. The carbon fiber surface becomes smoother after sizing. Moreover, the interlaminar shear strength and interfacial shear strength increased by 18.8 % and 43.4 %, respectively, compared to the commercial carbon fiber. This is mainly due to the unsaturated bonds in the sizing agent react with the free radicals on the surface of the carbon fiber, which enhance the interface bonding strength between the sizing agent and the surface of the carbon fiber and the vinyl ester matrix.