The effect of post-processing of carbon fibers on the mechanical properties of epoxy-based composites

Carbon fibers were surface-treated by acid and a titanate coupling agent to improve the interfacial properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites. The fibers were characterized by SEM, XPS, and single filament tensile testing. The fiber reinforced epoxy composites from as-received and surface-treated carbon were fabricated by the hot-press molding method. The inter–laminar shear strength (ILSS) of the composites was determined by short beam shear...