Influence of surface state on moisture sensitivity of carbon fiber and its composite interfacial properties

The influence of surface state on the moisture sensitivity of carbon fiber was analyzed by applying a T800 grade carbon fiber with five different surface conditions, namely, with and without surface oxidation, in the presence or absence of sizing agent. The interfacial properties of their composites in the presence of two epoxy matrices (respectively EP07 and EP10) were also characterized by micro-droplet tests. The overall results show that both oxidized and sizing-coated fibers have higher moisture equilibrium content than that of the pristine unsurface-treated fiber, due to higher amount of activated carbon groups. After moisture absorption of the carbon fibers, almost all the fiber/epoxy systems show decrease in the interfacial shear strength and the unsurface-treated fiber system exhibits the largest decline. Moreover, both interfacial shear strength and interlaminar shear strength of carbon fiber/EP10 composite demonstrate better water resistance performance than that of the carbon fiber/EP07 composite, consistent with DSC results of the two resins.