Comparison of properties of carbon reinforced plastic obtained on the basis of semicrystalline polyimide R-BAPB and other high-temperature-resistant thermoplastic matrices

Heat resistant thermoplastic matrices offer potential advantages over thermoset polymers and represent a promising alternative in advanced composite applications. In the present work, the properties of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) based on the developed semicrystalline polyimide R-BAPB were studied and compared with those of highly heat-resistant thermoplastic polymers such as amorphous polyetherimide Ultem-1000 and semicrystalline polyetherketone PEEK. To obtain CFRP, an approach was used basing on the uniform distribution of polymer powders on continuous carbon fibers by electrostatic spraying followed by their impregnation in heated calenders and hot pressing. The thermal and thermomechanical properties of CFRPs based on mentioned above polymers were studied. The effect of temperature on the mechanical behavior of CFRPs, including flexural properties and interlaminar fracture toughness G1C, was investigated as well. CFRPs based on PEEK and R-BAPB are found to have the highest thermal stability and heat resistance. The maximum flexural strength, which practically does not change in a wide temperature range from -50 to 180 degrees C, is observed for CFRP based on R-BAPB polyimide. Among the investigated CFRPs, the highest value of interlaminar fracture toughness is shown by CFRPs based on semicrystalline R-BAPB.