EFFECT OF TRANSCRYSTALLIZATION IN CARBON-FIBER-REINFORCED POLY(P-PHENYLENE SULFIDE) COMPOSITES ON THE INTERFACIAL SHEAR-STRENGTH INVESTIGATED WITH THE SINGLE-FIBER PULL-OUT TEST

The effect of transcrystallinity in carbon fiber reinforced poly(p-phe nylene sulfide (PPS) composites on the apparent shear strength was inv estigated with the single fiber pull-out test. Transcrystalline zones around the reinforcing fibers do not seem to improve the adhesion leve l significantly. Neighbor fibers hinder the formation of the transcrys talline zone and a ductile fracture behavior can be observed. However, the apparent strength level is slightly higher for composites contain ing such reinforcing neighbor fibers compared with single fiber compos ite samples. During annealing a brittle interface can be formed in the multifiber composite yielding a higher level of the apparent shear st rength.