Electrodeposition of Polymers of Graphite Fibers: Effects on Composite Properties.

An electrodeposition technique was developed for interface tailoring in graphite fiber composites. Graphite fibers running continuously as the anode through an electrolytic cell were coated with a variety of copolymers carrying carboxyl functional groups. Fortafil CG-3 fiber, free of commercial surface treatments was used. The copolymers employed were a series of styrene, a-olefin, and methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydrides, and ethylene-co-acrylic acid polymers. Unidirectional composite specimens were prepared by embedding the coated fibers in an epoxy matrix, and the efect of the interphase polymer was studied through variations in thpact, interlaminar shear, and flexural strengths in comparison to those of composites fabricated from commercially treated and untreated fibers. Author, modified-PL.