Surface modification of carbon fiber for enhancement of mechanical and ablation properties of silicone rubber/carbon fiber composites

초록

High temp. vulcanization silicone rubber was compounded with pristine carbon fiber (CF) and silane modified CF(TS-CF) in order to improve mech. and ablation properties. Modification of CF was realized by having a silane compd. reacted with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the CF surface formed by treatment with nitric acid. Silane compd. bearing tetra sulfide group was used for the modification. The CF modification was confirmed by using ESCA. HTV/CF composite exhibited more enhanced mech. properties when the surface modified CF was incorporated into HTV instead of pristine CF. Ablation properties evaluated by the insulation index and by the time elapsed to burn down the specimen under a const. load after the burst of the oxy-acetylene flame were also better for HTV/TS-CF than for HTV/CF. Authors are gratefully acknowledging the support by Defense Acquisition Program Administration and Agency for Defense Development.