Carbon fibers often play an important role as reinforcing materials in composite materials. However, the poor interfacial adhesion between the carbon fiber surface and the matrix is a problem that cannot be ignored. Alfa Chemistry provides customers with carbon fiber surface modification services through a series of modification methods to meet the challenges of interface problems in carbon fiber composites. Our fiber development department has a strong technical base and a team of well-trained and experienced experts.
Our Capabilities
The mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced composites are directly related to the surface morphology and chemical composition of carbon. By modifying the surface of carbon fiber, changing the surface activity and morphology of carbon fiber, improving its wettability, and improving the interface bonding effect, it can give full play to the excellent properties of carbon fiber such as high strength and high modulus.
Alfa Chemistry has a variety of carbon fiber surface modification technologies and is ready to provide you with carbon fiber surface modification services. Our carbon fiber modification capabilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Surface Chemical Modification
Introducing functional groups to the surface: Modifying the surface of carbon fibers with oxygen- and nitrogen-containing groups can improve the surface activity of carbon fibers and improve the mechanical properties of carbon fiber composites such as interlaminar shear strength. For example, the continuous gas-phase thermochemical treatment of carbon fiber can realize the regulation of the hydroxyl and carboxyl group content on the surface of carbon fiber, so that the chemical composition of the carbon fiber surface can be designed.
Surface-grafting molecular chains: Through chemical reactions such as grafting, molecular chains with a designed structure can be introduced into the surface of carbon fibers to improve the interfacial adhesion between carbon fibers and resin matrix, thereby improving the performance of composite materials.
Sizing: Adding a coupling agent along with the sizing material can create covalently bonded oxygen-containing functional groups on the carbon fiber surface, which are further responsible for chemical interactions with the matrix polymer.
Electrochemical surface modification: The surface energy and roughness of carbon fibers can be improved by electrochemical surface modification technology, and their adhesion to the matrix polymer can be significantly improved.
- Etch Modification
Through various etching modification techniques, the surface roughness and microstructure of carbon fiber can be changed, so that the surface forms structures such as bumps and holes, and mechanical chains are formed with the resin matrix, thereby improving the interface adhesion. Our etching techniques for carbon fibers include liquid-phase oxidation, gas-phase oxidation, electrochemical anodization, plasma treatment, microwave irradiation, laser irradiation, and ultrasonic treatment, etc.
(a) Untreated carbon fiber and (b) Plasma treated carbon fiber.
- Surface Micro-Nano Structure Modification
By chemical growth or bonding adsorption, micro/nano structures can be constructed on the surface of carbon fibers, which can effectively improve the activity and specific surface area of carbon fibers, and improve the compatibility of fibers and resins, thus to achieve non-destructive surface modification of carbon fibers.
Cooperate With Us
We are confident that, by working with us, you will be satisfied with our expertise in the production and characterization of carbon fiber modification service. We pride ourselves on our strengths in:
- Experienced testing and research team
- Meet customer needs at all stages
- Efficient and cost-effective services
- Complete and advanced infrastructure
Reference
- Mohit Sharma, et al. Composites Science and Technology, 2014, 102, 35-50.
Our products and services are for research use only.
