Statistical optimization of treatment conditions for the electrochemical oxidation of carbon fiber by Study of the morphology of the fiber surface

The purpose of the current work was to investigate the effect of three independent variables; electrochemical oxidation time along with concentration and temperature of an acidic electrolyte solution on the oxygen content of surface groups (O/C ratio) and tensile strength of PAN-based carbon fiber have been investigated.The optimization results collected from optimization part of software indicated that the optimum O/C ratio and tensile strength were found to be 0.5045 wt% and 2574 MPa respectively and occurred at 15 wt% nitric acid, 10 min oxidation time and 20 °C. According to the results of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), electrochemical oxidation caused a roughening of the fibers surface and decrease of their tensile strength.

Keywords:

Carbon fiber , Electrolyte , anodic oxidation , roughening , morphology