| Vapor grown carbon fibers of sub-micron dimensions were investigated for their potential as reinforcements for polymeric matrices. The effect of surface treatment of these fibers, on their adhesion with an epoxy matrix, and the effect of adhesion on the mechanical properties of vapor grown carbon fiber/epoxy composites was studied. It was found that the fibers possess a low elastic modulus and hence do not have a high reinforcing ability. It was also seen that the microstructure of the concentric graphene layers of these vapor grown carbon fibers did not possess the three-dimensional order typical of graphite and the low fiber modulus was attributed to its high graphitic interlayer crystal spacing. Furthermore, it was found that usually effective surface treatments applied to the vapor grown carbon fibers did not improve adhesion nor affect the composite mechanical properties. |
