Effect of molding condition on flexural strength of textile carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate laminates

The effects of molding conditions on the flexural strength of textile carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate laminates were assessed. Choosing the temperature and pressure conditions appropriately during hot-press molding using carbon fiber textile layers and polycarbonate films can produce void-free, high interfacial adhesion in textile carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate laminates. Those characteristics were confirmed from observing the cross-sections of carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate laminates and measuring the interlaminar shear strength. A suitable molding condition can raise the flexural strength of carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate laminates to a level predicted from the measured flexural strength of textile carbon fiber/epoxy laminates by assuming carbon fiber micro-buckling in the compression side of specimens.