Protection of carbon fiber surfaces with silicon-based ceramic coating

Abstract

Production and utilization of carbon fibers (CFs) and CF reinforced plastic composites have been greatly widespread because of their distinguished properties. Although recycling of post-consumer CFs is required, recycled CFs often suffer from surface defects which diminish their quality. This article presents a process that create ceramic thin layers on the CF surfaces. CFs covered with ¡-Si3N4 and ¢-SiC layers were prepared readily and they were characterized by significantly improved oxidation resistivity. The method would be available to recuperate properties of the recycled CFs and might convert the post-consumer CFs into value-added products.