In situ bonding of carbon fibers and nanotubes to polymer matrices
AssigneeRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
InventorsThomas J. Nosker, Jennifer K. Lynch-Branzoi, Bernard H. Kear, Nofel Z. Whieb
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Abstract
A method for forming a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite by distributing carbon fibers or nanotubes into a molten polymer phase comprising one or more molten polymers; and applying a succession of shear strain events to the molten polymer phase so that the molten polymer phase breaks the carbon fibers successively with each event, producing reactive edges on the broken carbon fibers that react with and cross-link the one or more polymers. The composite shows improvements in mechanical properties, such as stiffness, strength and impact energy absorption.
Claims11
A carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite comprising carbon fibers distributed into a carbon-containing molten polymer phase comprising one or more carbon-containing polymers under sufficient condition of shear such that the carbon-containing polymers in the carbon-containing molten polymer phase are cross-linked by direct covalent bonds to the ends of the carbon fibers,
- wherein the carbon fiber ends comprise dangling bonds, reactive free radicals, or a combination thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.