E. Hage et al., MODIFICATION OF THE CARBON-FIBER SURFACE WITH A COPPER COATING FOR COMPOSITE-MATERIALS WITH EPOXY, Journal of adhesion science and technology, 11(12), 1997, pp. 1491-1499
Surface treatment of carbon fibers is essential to provide adequate in
terfacial interaction, and strength in carbon fiber/epoxy composites.
The electrodeposition of a metallic copper coating on the carbon fiber
surface has been examined as an alternative method to improve carbon
fiber-epoxy interfacial properties. The wettability of the carbon fibe
r by the epoxy resin was improved as a result of copper electrodeposit
ion. As a consequence, the adhesion between the carbon fiber and epoxy
was also greatly improved by the surface electrolytic treatment used.
The electrodeposition conditions affected significantly both wettabil
ity and adhesion phenomena. The electrolytic current had a strong effe
ct on the interface performance. It was found that there was an interm
ediate electrolytic current, within the range used, which promoted bet
ter wetting and composite strength, compared with conventionally surfa
ce-oxidized carbon fibers.