The surface properties of original high strength and preoxidized high modulus carbon fibers were altered by electrocopolymerizing acryl amide and carbazole and therefore depositing a copolymer coating onto the fibers. Scanning electron microscopy and zeta-potential measurements confirmed the presence of a rough but dense and continuous electrocoating with a basic surface character. Therefore, lsquogoodrsquo adhesion behavior between the electrocoated carbon fibers and an epoxy resin matrix should be expected. The interfacial adhesion was measured using the single fiber pull-out and single fiber indentation test. It was shown that only lsquointermediatersquo adhesion was present between the carbon fibers and the electrocoating, but superior adhesion between the coating and epoxy resin exists. The single fiber model composites always failed at the fiber/electrocoating interface. However, as shown by using the indentation test, the interfacial adhesion between fibers and electrocoating can be significantly improved if preoxidized fibers are used as substrate for electropolymerization. A very high tensile strength for the electrocoating can be expected as derived from the single fiber pull-out tests.
For the concept of using structural materials such as carbon fibre reinforced plastics as
energy storage devices, new matrix polymers are required. These polymers must provide ionic
conductivity as well as adequate mechanical strength. In the EU-Project StorAGE this
requirements are fulfilled by adding ionic liquid to commercial polymers. The mechanical
properties of these mixtures materials were characterized by using a 3-point-bending device.
In addition, single fibre pull test were performed in order to get information on the interfacial
shear strength. Adding of ionic liquid has an impact on the mechanical performance of the
materials. A decrease of the flexural strength and modulus of less than 10% of the value of the
reference materials took part. The interfacial shear strength decreased to a value of around
one third compare to the reference material.