CHARACTERIZATION, PROPERTIES, AND PROCESSING OF LARC PETI-5® AS A HIGH-TEMPERATURE SIZING MATERIAL: III. ADHESION ENHANCEMENT OF CARBON/BMI COMPOSITES

A phenylethynyl-terminated imide oligomer (LaRC PETI-5®) with a number average molecular weight of 2500 g/mol has been applied onto the surfaces of PAN-based carbon fiber tows and woven carbon fabrics as a sizing material to introduce an interphase between the fiber and matrix in carbon/BMI composites. The adhesion between the fiber and matrix was enhanced by the presence of a properly processed LaRC PETI-5® interphase. The results showed that when LaRC PETI-5® was sized and processed at 150°C, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of unidirectional IM7/BMI composite measured by using a microindentation technique and the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of a carbon/BMI composite measured by short beam shear test were markedly improved by about 35% and 66%, respectively, in comparison with the unsized counterparts. The adhesion enhancement strongly depends not only on the presence or absence of LaRC PETI-5® sizing interphase but also on the temperature profile applied to the sizing before composite fabrication. Both of these factors critically influence the physical and chemical state of the sizing material. Scanning electron microscopic observations of the composite fracture surfaces support the improved interfacial property of carbon/BMI composites.