Improved mechanical properties of PMMA composites: Dispersion, diffusion and surface adhesion of recycled carbon fiber fillers from CFRP with adsorbed particulate PMMA

•Recycled carbon fibers obtained from CFRP were modified with polymer colloid.•Diffusion of recycled carbon fiber in the resin was enhanced by the modification.•Surface adhesion between the carbon fiber and resin was improved.•Mechanical properties of the composite was enhanced using the modified carbon fiber.

In this study, composite materials were fabricated using the thermoplastic resin poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and recycled carbon fibers obtained by pulverizing carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). PMMA particles were adsorbed on the carbon fiber surfaces via electrostatic interactions, to promote the interfacial adhesion between the carbon fibers and the PMMA resin and thereby improve the dispersion of the fibers in the resin. This enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites; the yield stress and elastic modulus of the composite. As a result, the yield stress and elastic modulus of the composite improved owing to the prevention of void formation in the composite resulting from the chemical incompatibility between the filler and the resin and better dispersion of the PMMA-adsorbed carbon fibers in the resin compared to that in the unmodified fibers. This method can be applied to fabricate high-quality composites consisting of a combination of other resins and fillers.

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