Properties of conductive polymer composite films fabricated under high intensity electric fields: Effect of CF sizing treatment

Abstract

Electrically conductive carbon fiber/high density polyethylene (CF/HDPE) composite films were fabricated by new method, so called electron-ion technology(EIT) and the effects of CF epoxy sizing on the volumetric resistivity, tensile strength and interphase properties of the films were investigated. While epoxy sizing increased conductivity of composite films resulting from enhanced tunneling effect, it reduced interphase adhesion between CF and HDPE because polar epoxy sizing and nonpolar HDPE are incompatible. Consequently epoxy sized CMCF(S)) caused significant reduction in the volumetric resisitivity and tensile strength of composite films when compared with unsized CF(CF(U)). Epoxy sizing reduced nucleating efficiency of CF(S), therefore CF(S)/HDPE composite films showed nonuniform transcrystalline layer when compared with CF(U)/HDPE composite films.