RESUMO
The molecular weight of self-emulsifying amphiphilic epoxy sizing emulsions has a big effect on the carbon fibres and interfacial properties of their composites. Novel amphiphilic epoxy sizing emulsions with four different molecular weights (7500, 11,000, 15,000 and 17,000) were successfully prepared by a self-emulsifying method and applied to improve interfacial bonding between carbon fibres (CFs) and an epoxy resin (EP). The effect of molecular weight on the quality of emulsions, the sized CFs and the interfacial properties of the CF/EP composite system were studied. The results reveal that these novel sizing emulsions exhibited strong emulsifying ability and high processability. The most favourable wettability and adequate CF surface free energy were obtained by the emulsion with a molecular weight of 7500. Compared with unsized CFs, the monofilament fibre tensile performance was remarkably improved when increasing the shape parameter from 5.08 to 7.20. The interfacial sheer strength (IFSS) of the CF/EP composite was greatly increased by 96% with the emulsion of 7500. The enhanced interfacial adhesion benefits were attributed mainly from the enhanced charge interaction between CFs and the sizing layer as well as the compatibility and the mechanical interlock between the sizing layer and the epoxy matrix.
RESUMO
Herein, we report self-emulsifying anionic unsaturated polyester emulsions with different chain segments as novel sizing agents. The epoxy modified unsaturated polyester emulsions were synthesized via a self-emulsifying technique with no organic solvents. Emulsions were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, centrifuge, and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM). The results showed that the emulsions obtained were mono-dispersed nanospheres that had adequate colloidal stability. The maximum Zeta potential of the sizing agent is -52.88 mV. In addition, these emulsions were investigated as the sizing agents in order to improve interfacial adhesion between carbon fibers (CFs) and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). Compared with the CFs sized with the commercial epoxy sizing agent, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of CF/UPR composites from the CFs sized by these emulsion sizing agents with three different chain structures were enhanced by 25%, 29%, and 42%, respectively. The emulsion sizing agent composed of a flexible segment synthesized from adipic acid, neopentyl glycol, and maleic anhydride is most effective and can achieve the highest enhancement of the ILSS of CF/UPR composites.