Reinforcement of nest‐like Zn layers on the surface of carbon fibers for rigid polyurethane composites

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper, the nest‐like Zn layers on the surface of short carbon fibers (CFs) was obtained by electrodeposition technique to improve the mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane (RPU) composites. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the desired nest‐like Zn crystals were successfully deposited on the surface of CFs. The X‐ray powder diffractometer (XRD) and contact angle instrument were used to analyze the crystal composition of the layers and the wettability of fiber surface. Compared with pristine short carbon fibers/rigid polyurethane (CFs‐RPU) composites, the tensile strength, bending strength, impact strength and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of nest‐like Zn layers decorated short carbon fibers/rigid polyurethane (NS‐CFs/RPU) composites were improved simultaneously. Dynamic mechanical test (DMA) results showed that the nest‐like Zn layers on the surface of CFs effectively improved the interfacial bonding strength between CFs and the RPU matrix. In addition, the cross‐section of NS‐CFs/RPU composites showed the metal layer combines well with the matrix. The above results indicated that the improvement of strength and toughness of NS‐CFs/RPU composites was attributed to the pinning effect of the nest‐like Zn layers on the surface of carbon fiber and the increased of crack propagation path.