Evaluation of fiber surface treatment and toughening of thermoset matrix on the interfacial behaviour of carbon fiber-reinforced cyanate matrix composites

Composites of carbon fiber and cyanate ester matrix have been investigated. The research has been focused on the interfacial behaviour. The influence of carbon fiber surface treatments, sizing and oxidation, and also modification of thermoset matrix by the addition of a thermoplastic, has been analysed. In order to relate the interfacial behaviour with the characteristics of the components, a physico-chemical characterisation of the carbon fibers and of the cyanate ester resins has been carried out. Thereafter, the apparent interfacial shear strength, the interlaminar shear strength and the Mode II delamination fracture toughness, GIIC, have been measured by pull-out test, short beam-shear test, and end-notched flexure test, respectively. For fractographic analysis the surfaces of laminates fractured under Mode II deformation have also been examined by scanning electron microscopy.