JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, vol.135, no.48, 2018 (SCI-Expanded)
In this study, the properties of carbon fiber (CF) reinforced poly(lactic acid)/polycarbonate (PLA/PC) composites was investigated. Two compositions of PLA/PC (90/10 and 50/50) blends were used as matrix. Characterization of composites was carried out by differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, tensile test, dynamic mechanical analysis, limiting oxygen index (LOI), scanning electron microscope, and heat release rate (HRR). The tensile strength values of 90PLA/10PC and 50PLA/50PC blends were improved by the addition of CF. The highest tensile strength value was observed at 50PLA50PC30CF composite as 114.6 MPa. Storage modulus values of CF reinforced PLA/PC composites enhanced with increasing CF loading. The highest LOI value was obtained for 50PLA50PC30CF composite. It was observed that there is a significant decrease in peak of HRR (pHRR) and total heat release value for all of the composites with increasing CF loading. It was concluded that CF reinforced 50PLA/50PC composite has better mechanical and thermal properties than 90PLA/10PC composite. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46881.