NANOFIBER REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITE

Vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCF) is a carbon fiber produced by the reaction of hydrocarbon gases. Because of low surface energy, these fibers tend to produce weak bonds and poor interfaces with the matrix. Unless properly dispersed, the fibers will not enhance the mechanical properties of VGCF/epoxy composites. Fiber surface treatments are used to improve the dispersion in the composite. Two kinds of plasma treated fibers (C3F8, HMDSO) were studied in producing the composite samples. It is shown that the composites reinforced by surface modified VGCF exhibit marginally higher compressive strength and lower porosity compared to composites with unmodified fiber. The highest composite strength was observed in the composite with fiber volume loadings between 2% to 3%.