ZnO whisker reinforced M40/BADCy composite

The graphite fiber (M40) reinforced bisphenol A dicyanate (2,2′-bis (4-cyanatophenyl) isopropylidene resin) (BADCy) composite, which contains different content of ZnO whiskers treated or untreated by coupling agent γ-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560), was prepared in order to investigate the influence of ZnO whiskers on the properties of the composite. DSC and FTIR analysis show that ZnO whiskers have a strong catalytic effect on cure reaction of cyanate ester (BADCy) and can decrease the cure temperature of BADCy. The micro-morphology of ZnO whisker distribution in resin with various stirring rates was studied by means of SEM. Results showed that stirring rates between 1200 and 1500 rpm could make the whiskers have good distribution, while the stirring rates over 1800 rpm will break the whiskers. Mechanical properties revealed that ZnO whisker treated by KH560 could promote the flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of M40/BADCy composite.