Fiber-matrix adhesion between high-density polyethylene and carbon fiber

Abstract Carbon fiber reinforced polyethylene composites have garnered recent interest in many industrial fields owing to their inherent benefits of excellent chemical and corrosion resistance, and processing ease. The interfacial strength between polyethylene and carbon fiber has been understudied to this point but it is critical to the performance of these new composite parts. In this study the apparent interfacial shear strength between three differently sized carbon fibers and high-density polyethylene containing various levels of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene coupling agent has been evaluated. Overall, the compatibilizer content plays a more significant role than the fiber sizing but it was found that there are competing and complementary effects between them. Additionally, based on examination of the post debonding frictional forces, the mechanics of the pullout test are changed even with a small content of maleic anhydride even where the magnitude of the interfacial shear strength is unchanged.