Modifying Composite Interfaces to Maximise Physical Performance and Functionality

Improving the performance of a material in one area usually comes at the detriment of other properties. This phenomenon results in mutually exclusive property combinations known collectively as the performance trade-offs. Composites have addressed some of the extreme performance trade-offs encountered when attempting to improve the characteristics of monolithic bulk materials. Composites have been widely adopted where materials of dissimilar chemical or physical properties are combined to form a hybrid material that exhibits the desirable qualities from the individual components, e.g. the high strength and low weight of carbon fibre reinforced polymers.<br/>In this work I will discuss the recent work done by my group in the modification of carbon fiber-polymer matrix interfaces and interphases. This includes the design of specific molecular architectures to influence molecular entanglement, the design of surface chemistries to improve fracture resistance and adhesion in both thermoplastic and thermoset composites.