Enhancing the interlaminar property of carbon fiber/poly(aryl ether ketone) composites with water‐soluble polyimide oligomer sizing agent

Abstract Novel water‐soluble polymer‐based sizing agents for carbon fiber/poly(aryl ether ketone) composites (CF/PAEK) have gained attention. However, a challenge remains: the sized CF bundles lack flexibility, and the effect of this on the properties of the composite has not been discussed. Herein, a water‐soluble polyimide oligomer (OL) sizing agent was developed, and the sizing effect was comprehensively evaluated. The conventional molecular weight polyimide (HP) sizing agent was also assessed for comparison. Although the interfacial shear strength of the sized CF monofilaments is enhanced due to improved surface roughness and wettability, the effect of the OL sizing agent on the composite's interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and tow's flexibility differed from that of the HP sizing agent. Compared with HP‐CF, the yarn spreading rate of OL‐CF tow is increased by about eight times, and the ILSS of OL‐CF/PAEK composites with 2 and 5 MPa molding pressure is increased by 69% and 222%, respectively. The HP sizing agent weakens the tow's flexibility and yarn spreading ability, which is not conducive to the resin penetration in the tow, resulting in lower ILSS. In contrast, the OL sizing agent considers the tow's flexibility and composite's interlaminar property, showing great application potential. Highlights Two PI‐based sizing agents with diverse film‐forming capacities were prepared. The ILSS of CF/PAEK with OL sizing agent was significantly improved. HP sizing agent weakened the tow flexibility and interlaminar property. The interaction of sizing layer—resin penetration—ILSS was proposed.