Localized thermal analysis of carbon fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites

The effect of carbon fiber (CF) and annealing temperature on polypropylene (PP) microstructure was studied. The crystalline state of polymer matrix was found to be a strong function of thermal history. The effect of annealing temperature on the microstructure evolution of PP in the presence of CFs was characterized by using X‐ray diffraction, DSC and localized thermal analysis. The melting behavior of CF‐reinforced PP composite was strongly dominated by the thermal history and was weakly influenced by the presence of CFs. The interface between a CF and PP matrix was found to be weak. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers