ESCA studies of carbon fibres: Part II—Surface reactions of carbon fibres with epoxides

The reactions between epoxides and Courtaulds AS carbon fibre surfaces have been studied by the ESCA technique. The carbon fibres were oxidized in a mixture of H₂SO₄ and HNO₃, and then refluxed in epoxide. The formation of epoxide overlayers on the carbon fibres is confirmed. The average epoxide depths (in Å) have been calculated from the ESCA data. The fractions of the carbon fibre surfaces covered by epoxide monolayers are also estimated. The epoxides are assumed to be covalently bonded to the fibre surfaces by ether and ester links.