Preparation and characterization of Cf/Pollucite composites through geopolymer precursors

Continuous carbon-fibre-reinforced Cs-geopolymer composite (C-f/CsGP) were prepared, and its in-situ conversion was investigated during high-temperature treatments. The effect of treatment temperature on the thermal evolution process and mechanical properties of the resulting products were systematically evaluated. The results indicated that the crystallization temperature of C-f/CsGP composite was considerably delayed because the amorphous structure of carbon fibres was not conducive as a nucleation substrate for pollucite derived from the CsGP matrix. Moreover, the integrity of the corresponding resulting products derived from the C-f/CsGP composite were damaged due to thermal shrinkage that occurred during the high-temperature treatment process. When treatment temperature was <= 1200 degrees C, the mechanical properties of the corresponding products exhibited an upward trend, which was ascribed to the improvement of the densification degree of the resulting composite and well interface-bonding state between carbon fibres and pollucite. However, the mechanical properties of the resulting composites decreased with the treatment temperature continued increased from 1200 to 1400 degrees C. This phenomenon was attributed to the impairment of fibre properties caused by interfacial reactions.

Automated summary

The crystallization temperature of the C-f/CsGP composite was delayed due to the amorphous structure of the carbon fibers. The mechanical properties exhibited an upward trend below 1200 degrees C, but decreased as the treatment temperature increased from 1200 to 1400 degrees C, attributed to impairment of fiber properties caused by interfacial reactions.