Carbon Fibre Surface Treatment and Sizing
topic
Carbon fibre surface oxidation by anodic electrolytic treatment in ammonium bicarbonate electrolyte introduces oxygen-containing functional groups including carboxyl, hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups at 0.5 to 2 percent surface oxygen concentration, improving epoxy matrix adhesion; epoxy-compatible sizing at 0.5 to 1.5 percent on fibre mass protects filaments during handling and textile processing operations.
Role
Critically determines the interfacial bond strength between carbon fibre and polymer matrix that governs composite interlaminar shear strength, mode I and mode II fracture toughness, and environmental durability, with surface treatment level optimised to balance maximum interfacial adhesion against fibre surface damage that reduces tensile strength.