Surface Treatment and Sizing of Carbon Fibers

Surface treatment and sizing for carbon fibers are discussed primarily to identify the mechanism of interphase formation. The objective of this chapter is to review the surface treatment and sizing of carbon fibers used in the manufacturing composites. The surface properties of the carbon fibers were experimentally characterized, including the chemical compositions, surface free energy, acid-base interactions, and dispersive and polar components. It will be also presented that a number of oxidizing agents and gases have been used to surface treat the carbons, such as the plasma, electrochemical oxidation, and wet chemical and thermal treatments.