Carbon fibers containing 1,4 e 2,1 mmol/g of carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups, respectively, were modified through the reaction with TDI. The presence of isocyanate groups at the fiber surface made possible the fiber modification with hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). These modified and unmodified carbon fibers were employed in the preparation of epoxy resin-based composites. A substantial improvement in the impact properties was observed in the composites with HTPB-grafted carbon fibers when compared to unmodified carbon fibers. These results may be attributed to a higher interfacial adhesion promoted by reactions between the functional groups present at the modified carbon fiber surface and the epoxy matrix.
Carbon fiber; hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene; composites; epoxy resin
