In this paper, the nest-like Zn layers on the surface of short carbon fibers (CFs) was obtained by electrodeposition technique to improve the mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane (RPU) composites. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the desired nest-like Zn crystals were successfully deposited on the surface of CFs.The X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD) and contact angle instrument were used to analyze the crystal composition of the layers and the wettability of fiber surface. Compared with pristine short carbon fibers/rigid polyurethane (CFs-RPU) composites, the tensile strength, bending strength, impact strength and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of nest-like Zn layers decorated short carbon fibers/rigid polyurethane (NS-CFs/ RPU) composites were improved simultaneously. Dynamic mechanical test (DMA) results showed that the nest-like Zn layers on the surface of CFs effectively improved the interfacial bonding strength between CFs and the RPU matrix. In addition, the cross-section of NS-CFs/RPU composites showed the metal layer combines well with the matrix. The above results indicated that the improvement of strength and toughness of NS-CFs/RPU composites was attributed to the pinning effect of the nest-like Zn layers on the surface of carbon fiber and the increased of crack propagation path.
Fiber-reinforced composites with excellent mechanical performances usually have a good interface property between fibers and the matrix to achieve effective load transfer. In this paper, structure decorations on the ultrahigh molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber surface were explored to enhance the interface properties between fibers and the rigid polyurethane (RPU) matrix. Donut-shaped zinc oxide (D-ZnO) crystals grew on the fiber surface, and the morphologic and structural changes were characterized. The possible growth mechanisms of D-ZnO were discussed. The mechanical performances of UHMWPE fibers and corresponding composites were tested. The tensile strength of D-ZnO-UHMWPE fibers/RPU exhibited a remarkably 127.9% increase relative to pure RPU, and the impact toughness was increased by 155.2%. The investigations demonstrated that the decoration of D-ZnO could enhance the mechanical performances of the composites effectively. Moreover, further analysis indicated that adding D-ZnO-UHMWPE fibers to the RPU matrix provided more crack expansion paths, which improved the toughness of the composites.
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