Effect of surfactant treatments on interfacial adhesion in single graphite/epoxy composites

Abstract Interfacial adhesion between graphite fibers and epoxy matrices is one of the important parameters in controlling composite performance. Experiments were performed to verify the idea that polymerizable and nonpolymerizable nonionic surfactants can promote wetting and increase interfacial shear strength. Using a single‐fiber‐composite (SFC) technique with a Poisson/Weibull model of fiber strength and flaws, the effective interfacial shear strength (ISS) was determined. The effect of surfactant treatments on interfacial adhesion in single graphite/epoxy composites was also compared with the effects of treatment with deionized water, absolute alcohol, and acetone. The experimental results showed that the fibers treated with the nonpolymerizable surfactant gained 37% in interfacial shear strength relative to those untreated or those treated with deionized water, absolute alcohol, or acetone. The polymerizable surfactants showed a 10% increase in interfacial shear strength. The lognormal distribution provided the best fit for critical aspect ratios obtained from the SFC tests.