Influence of PANI‐complex on the mechanical and electrical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

Abstract The aim of this work was to determine the influence of PANI‐complex on the mechanical and electrical properties of CF‐PP composites. As expected, an increase in tensile strength and modulus of the PP matrix could be achieved with an increasing fiber weight fraction. On the other hand, the PANI‐complex decreased the tensile strength and modulus of the fiber reinforced composites; however, these values remained on a better level than the value of the neat PP. Further, by using a long carbon fiber (LCF) reinforcement instead of short carbon fibers (SCF) the percolation threshold was moved towards a lower fiber weight content. In addition, a synergy effect between PANI‐complex and LCF in the PP‐matrix regarding the electrical properties occurred. In particular, an abrupt decrease in the surface resistivity could be avoided. Also, the surface resistivity of a blend is better when the blend consists of both PANI‐complex and LCF instead of only one of these fillers.