THE EFFECT OF OXIDIZED CARBON-FIBER CONTENT ON THE PROPERTIES OF THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMER COMPOSITES

The influence of the oxidized carbon fibre content on the properties o f thermoplastic elastomeric matrix (styrene-butadiene, SBS) has been s tudied, in comparison with those obtained in commercial carbon fibre c omposites at the same fibre levels, Tensile strength, elongation at br eak and tear resistance variations place the optimum fibre content at 10-15 phr. The stress-strain behaviour points to the differences betwe en both types of composites which are explained in terms of the existe nce of a strong interface matrix oxidized fibre in the composite, Alth ough the fibre addition negatively affects the stress relaxation behav iour, at the same fibre content the stress relaxation is slower in oxi dized fibre composites.