POS7-0292
Improvement of Interfacial and Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber/PBAT Composites through Biomass-Based Sizing Treatment
Topic
S7. Innovations in Polymeric Composites: From Design and Processing to Industrial Applications
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Heesuk KIM
Jinhye BAE
Presenter(s)
Hwan-Gi Do (Kumoh National Institute of Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced polymer composites have been widely used in structural applications due to their high specific strength and stiffness. While thermosetting resins are conventionally employed as matrix materials for structural composites, growing interest in sustainability has driven the development of thermoplastic and biodegradable polymer-based composite systems. In this study, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, was adopted as the matrix materials for the composites. CF surfaces were modified via plasma treatment and subsequently coated with biomass-based PBAT/shellac blend sizing solutions to tailor the fiber-matrix interfacial characteristic. In addition, PBAT/shellac blend films were prepared to characterize properties of the sizing formulation itself. The CF/PBAT composites were then fabricated through compression molding using PBAT films. The physical and chemical properties of the PBAT/shellac blend films were analyzed, and the interfacial, dynamic mechanical, and mechanical properties of the composites were systematically evaluated using interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), flexural testing, and impact testing. This study demonstrates the potential of biomass-based shellac sizing for enhancing biodegradable thermoplastic CF composite systems.
