Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Short Carbon Fiber Networks Reinforced Anionic Polymerized Nylon 6 Composites

Short carbon fiber three-dimensional network reinforcement (SCFNR) was prepared by bonding two different lengths of short carbon fibers (SCF) with phenolic resin powder (PF), and then carbonized at 800 °C. Two kinds of SCFNR/anionic polyamide 6 (APA6) composites were fabricated via vacuum assisted impregnation process (VAI). The microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and universal testing machine. The thermal stability of the composites was evaluated by thermogravimetric. The results show that the carbonized phenolic resin can effectively bond SCF to form a rigid three-dimensional network reinforcement, both types of SCFNR can significantly improve the mechanical properties of the composites. The maximum thermal decomposition temperature of SCFNR/APA6 composite prepared with the carbon fiber length of 1 mm is 150 °C higher than that of APA6 (paper)