Characterization of PEEK/Carbon Interface Using the Microbond Test: Influence of Thermal Stability of Sizing

Abstract

In fiber-resin composites, the boundary between resin and reinforcement is often regarded as the most fragile constituent of the system, so characterization of the interface is very important to understand composite performance. In the case of PEEK/carbon composites, the influence of varying cure conditions and fiber surface treatments on the interfacial adhesion properties have been investigated. Microbond technique was used to determine the interfacial shear strength, and transmission electron microscopy was used to study the crystallization behaviour of the polymer at the interface. It was shown that the obtained crystalline morphology does not govern final adhesion and that the high temperature needed to melt PEEK leads to a decomposition of the sizing agent usually used with other matrices. © 1995, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.