Multiscale Analysis on Electrical Properties of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Wood Composites

Carbon fiber was selected as a reinforcement for the manufacture of composite materials. Electrical properties of carbon fiber reinforced wood composites (CFRWCs) were studied by multiscale analysis, which is an all-rounded method to analyze CFRWCs from the macroscopic area to the microcosmic field. It was found that the insulated wood fiber materials could conduct electricity after adding a certain proportion of carbon fibers. The dielectric constants and the capacitances of CFRWCs increased gradually with increasing carbon fiber content in the composites from 55 wt.% to 75 wt.% when a certain condition prevails. However, the loss tangents and the surface resistivities of CFRWCs decreased as the carbon fiber content was increased continuously. The data of surface resistivity represented a negative growth situation with increasing temperature from 20 C to 120 C and exhibited a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) effect. The movement of electrons was also analyzed due to temperature rise.