Influence of PANI-complex on the mechanical and electrical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

The aim of this work was to determine the influence of PANI-complex on the mechanical and electrical properties of CF-PP composites. As expected, an increase in tensile strength and modulus of the PP matrix could be achieved with an increasing fiber weight fraction. On the other hand, the PANI-complex decreased the tensile strength and modulus of the fiber reinforced composites; however, these values remained on a better level than the value of the neat PP. Further, by using a long carbon fiber (LCF) reinforcement instead of short carbon fibers (SCF) the percolation threshold was moved towards a lower fiber weight content. In addition, a synergy effect between PANI-complex and LCF in the PP-matrix regarding the electrical properties occurred. In particular, an abrupt decrease in the surface resistivity could be avoided. Also, the surface resistivity of a blend is better when the blend consists of both PANI-complex and LCF instead of only one of these fillers.