Effect of the molecular weight of polycarbonateon the impact resistance of continuous carbonfiber reinforced polycarbonate composites

Abstract

In recent years, due to the increase in environmental issues, the production offuel efficient cars has attracted attention. In order to obtain good gasolinemileage, reducing the weight of the car body is desirable. Carbon FiberReinforced Plastics (CFRP) have been attracting attention in the automotiveindustry for their light-weighted attributes. Thermoset plastics are mainly used asa matrix of CFRP in the automotive industry, although they cannot be melted orreformed after molding, and are difficult to recycle. On the other hand, sincethermoplastic resin needs a shorter cycle time for molding and is recyclable,Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (CFRTP) are expected to be widelyused in the automotive industry. Polycarbonate (PC) has high impact strengthcompared to other thermoplastic plastics, thus it is expected to be used as thematrix of CFRTP. The impact resistance of PC is dependent on its molecularweight and the impact resistance improves in proportion to the molecular weight.However, the impact resistance of CF/PC due to differences in themolecular weight of PC is not well understood. In this study, the influence ofthe molecular weight of PC on the mechanical properties of CF/PC composites isclarified. © 2014 WIT Press.