Innovative Ru Catalyst Adopting for Improving Interfacial and Mechanical Properties on CF Fabric Reinforced ENB Composites

Abstract

This study improved the interfacial and mechanical properties of carbon fiber (CF) reinforced 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) composites using the Ru catalyst coating method on CF for vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Generally, the Ru catalyst added ENB was polymerized using mixing two materials. The interfacial and mechanical properties of the composites containing Ru catalyst coated carbon fabric were higher than those in which Ru catalyst was mixed in the ENB before being embedded in the CF fabric. It can be mainly due to the uniform or random dispersion of Ru catalyst by two different manufacturing processes. The interfacial properties determined using the microdroplet test, e.g., the surface energy and work of adhesion, W-a, were consistent with macro-mechanical properties. From the T-peel test combined with electrical resistance (ER), the Ru catalyst coated CF fabric/ENB composite responded reasonably well with high peeling strength. The different Ru catalyst processing methods resulted in different interfacial, mechanical, and electrical sensing properties, with the Ru catalyst coated CF composites typically having better properties. This study is about the Ru catalyst coated CF fabric, which can be applied to manufacture geometrically complex and large structural composites and will help improve product manufacturing efficiency and quality.