Interfacial toughness and its effect on compression strength in polycarbonate/carbon fiber composites

Abstract Processing Polycarbonate/carbon fiber composites for long times at high temperatures significantly improved adhesion between the matrix and the fibers. The interfacial properties were studied by measuring transverse fracture toughness, observing fracture specimens by scanning electron microscopy, and by monitoring composite cross‐sections using atomic force microscopy. The processing treatment provided an ideal method for varying the properties of the interface without changing any other properties. We used this method to study the effect of interfacial properties on the axial compression properties of unidirectional composites. Both the compression strength and compression modulus increased significantly as the fiber/matrix adhesion improved. We concluded that improving interfacial adhesion increased compression properties by inhibiting fiber microbuckling.