Improvement of Adhesiveness in Interphase between Carbon Fiber and Polypropylene by Using Microbubble Treatments

Abstract

For the practical application of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic（ CFRTP） using polypropylene（ PP） as a matrix, it is necessary to improve the poor interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber（ CF） and PP. In this work, we examined the effects of surface treatment on CF bundle and PP film utilizing microbubbles（ MB） containing ozone or nitrogen: the purpose was to observe the effects of oxidization from ozone gas and the treating capability of MB onto the surface of CF and PP. It was found that the MB treatments clearly increased the interfacial shear strengths（ IFSS） between CF and PP and the bending mechanical strengths of the CFRTP composite were also improved up to 55%. We concluded that the main processing mechanism depended on the degree of the introduction of polar groups onto CF and/or PP and on the anchoring effect originated from the roughened CF surface by the MB treatments.