Research progress in carbon fiber sizing agents for PEEK composites

Abstract

Thermoplastic polyether ether ketone (PEEK) composites are widely used in aerospace field due to their excellent fracture toughness, impact resistance and material versatility. Sizing agent as the core auxiliary product of carbon fiber has an important impact on the interface of composites. Limited by the decomposition temperature, the traditional thermosetting sizing agents are difficult to meet the use of PEEK composites, which restricts the development and application of high-performance PEEK composites. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a matching carbon fiber sizing agent for PEEK composites. In this paper, the interfacial properties of composites and the action mechanism of sizing agent were analyzed and introduced; the research progress and results of modified PEEK, polyimide precursor and polyetherimide sizing agents were focused, and different systems of sizing agents were analyzed and summarized.Finally, the relevant suggestions on carbon fiber sizing agents for PEEK composites were put forward while the environmental and multi-function developments for sizing agents were prospected.

Keywords

• sizing agent
• peek
• composites
• interface
• carbon fiber