Progress in Carbon Fiber and Its Polypropylene- and Polyethylene-Based Composites

Due to their lightweight and excellent toughness, carbon fiber (CF) and its reinforced thermoplastic composites are suitable for high-performance applications such as aerospace, aviation, automotive and sport equipments. In this study, comprehensive detail is provided on the production of carbon fiber, its various forms and geometry and their corresponding effects on the mechanical properties of CF and its reinforced polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) composites. Here we discuss extensively various methods reported in literature on improving the interfacial fiber-matrix adhesion and dispersion in order to achieve better mechanical properties for such composites.