Interphase sizing temperature effect of LaRC PETI-5 on the dynamic mechanical thermal properties of carbon fiber/BMI composites

Abstract

The dynamic mechanical thermal properties of carbon fiber-reinforced bismaleimide (BMI) composites processed using polyacrylonitfile(PAN)-based carbon fibers unsized and sized with LaRC PETI-5 amic acid oligomer as interphase material at 150 degrees C, 250 degrees C, and 350 degrees C were investigated by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. It was found that the storage modulus, loss modulus, tan delta and the peak temperature significantly depend on the sizing temperature as well as on the presence and absence of LaRC PETI-5 sizing interphase. The result showed that the carbon fiber/BMI composite sized at 150 degrees C had the highest storage modulus at a measuring temperature of 250 degrees C. The storage modulus decreased with increasing sizing temperature from 150 degrees C to 350 degrees C, being influenced by interdiffusion and co-reaction between the LaRC PETI-5 interphase and the BMI matrix resin. The present result is quite consistent with the interfacial result reported earlier in term of interfacial shear strength and interlaminar shear strength of carbon fiber/BMI composites. It is addressed that in the present composite system the sizing temperature of LaRC PETI-5 interphase critically influences not only the interfacial properties but also the dynamic mechanical thermal properties and its control is also important.