MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF CARBON FIBER REINFORCED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER BY OXIDATION TREATMENT

The surface of carbon fiber is hydrophobic, exhibiting poor wettability with organic and inorganic materials. Consequently, the mechanical properties of CFRTP using LCP as the matrix are inferior to those of ordinary CFRP. We oxidized the carbon fiber with ozone to introduce functional groups that interact with the functional groups at the ends of the LCP onto the surface of the carbon fibers. Subsequently, we developed CFRTP by utilizing ozone-treated carbon fiber as the reinforcing fiber and LCP as the matrix. We then proceeded to evaluate its mechanical properties and vibration damping properties. Consequently, the interfacial adhesion between LCP and carbon fiber was enhanced, and the bending strength was augmented. This improvement was attributed to the removal of the sizing agent affixed to the carbon fiber surface and the subsequent formation of polar functional groups on the carbon fiber surface. Furthermore, it was found that the damping ratio of LCP-CFRTP treated with ozone, which exhibited the most significant enhancement in interfacial adhesion, was approximately twice that of CFRP.