Resin impregnation behavior in carbon fiber reinforced polyamide 6 composite: Effects of yarn thickness, fabric lamination and sizing agent

In the present study, the effects of yarn thickness, fabric lamination (such as number of fabric plies) and sizing content on resin impregnation behavior in carbon fiber reinforced polyamide 6 composites were investigated. Micro-braided yarn (MBY) was fabricated using carbon fiber yarn consisted of 3000, 6000 and 12000 carbon fibers and polyamide 6 fiber yarn. Carbon fiber yarn with different sizing content was also used for MBY. Plain woven fabrics were made with MBY. Composite plates were compression-molded using the fabrics. Impregnation ratio was measured by surface observation of the cross-section of the composite. From the results, it is confirmed that the composites with dense fabrics inhibited fiber yarn flattening and restricted the influence of fabric lamination. Resin impregnation behavior was inhibited with sizing contents.