Improvement of Interfacial Bonding Properties of Carbon Fiber Epoxy Resin during Low-energy Electron Beam Curing by Microwave Pretreatment

WANG Kuo; ZHU Xuedong; MIAO Jianwei; DU Hang

doi:10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.01.009

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Surface Technology ›› 2026, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (1) : 107-114. DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.01.009

Surface and Interface Strengthening Technology

Improvement of Interfacial Bonding Properties of Carbon Fiber Epoxy Resin during Low-energy Electron Beam Curing by Microwave Pretreatment

WANG Kuo¹, ZHU Xuedong^2,*, MIAO Jianwei¹, DU Hang¹

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Abstract

The work aims to enhance the interfacial properties of low-energy electron beam (LEEB) cured carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites through the application of microwave pre-treatment technology, with the ultimate goal of improving their mechanical properties and durability. While low-energy electron beam curing technology has garnered significant attention due to its high efficiency and energy-saving advantages, there remains considerable potential for further improvement in interfacial performance. Therefore, this research focuses on utilizing microwave pretreatment to modulate the surface characteristics of carbon fibers, thereby optimizing the chemical bonding and mechanical interlocking effects between the fibers and the resin matrix.
In the experiment, carbon fibers were pretreated by adjusting parameters including microwave power, duration, and frequency, enabling controllable functional modification of their surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe changes in the surface morphology of the fibers and analyze the formation of micro/nanostructures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to characterize the variations in surface chemical composition and functional groups of the fibers, confirming the increase in the oxygen/carbon (O/C) atomic ratio. Meanwhile, composite specimens cured by low-energy electron beam were fabricated, and their interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) was tested to evaluate the improvement in interfacial properties.
In the experiment, carbon fiber prepregs were subject to microwave radiation. Microwaves could penetrate the surface of carbon fibers encapsulated by resin, thereby achieving controllable functional modification of the carbon fiber surface. Experimental results showed that after microwave radiation treatment of carbon fiber prepregs, the interlaminar shear strength of the composites was effectively improved. Microwave pretreatment significantly increased the oxygen/carbon (O/C) atomic ratio on the carbon fiber surface and introduced abundant oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., hydroxyl and carboxyl groups), which provided more active sites for chemical bonding between fibers and resin. Meanwhile, the pretreatment constructed micro/nanostructures on the fiber surface, enhancing the mechanical interlocking effect.
The microwave pretreatment strategy, by modulating the chemical composition and microstructure of the carbon fiber surfaces, significantly enhanced the interfacial properties of the low-energy electron beam cured composites. This improvement was attributed to the increased chemical reactivity and mechanical interlocking at the fiber-resin interface. The findings of this work not only offered a novel approach for the development of high-performance composites but also provided valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the interaction between microwaves and materials. The enhanced interfacial properties achieved through microwave pretreatment were expected to translate into improved mechanical performance and durability of the composites, making them more suitable for demanding applications.
This research holds important scientific significance and practical application value. The deepened understanding of the interaction mechanisms between microwaves and materials paves the way for further advancements in composite material technology. The microwave pretreatment method, as demonstrated in this work, has the potential to be widely promoted and applied in various high-tech fields, such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing, where high-performance composites are in high demand. Future work may focus on further optimizing the microwave pretreatment parameters and exploring additional surface modification techniques to achieve even greater improvements in interfacial properties and overall composite performance.

Key words

microwave radiation / low-energy electron beam curing / composite materials / interfacial shear strength / fiber surface

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WANG Kuo, ZHU Xuedong, MIAO Jianwei, DU Hang. Improvement of Interfacial Bonding Properties of Carbon Fiber Epoxy Resin during Low-energy Electron Beam Curing by Microwave Pretreatment[J]. Surface Technology. 2026, 55(1): 107-114

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