Improvement in the mechanical properties of carbon and aramid composites by fiber surface modification using polydopamine

To improve the interfacial properties of super fabrics, the effect of surface treatment on the dopamine monomer concentration was investigated. Carbon and aramid composites were manufactured with the same lamination structures using VARTM. The mechanical strength and stiffness of the fiber composite materials with polydopamine surface treatment were investigated. The surface treatment improved the mechanical properties of carbon and aramid fabric composites. The composites showed the highest tensile strength and stiffness at the dopamine and tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (TRIS) concentrations of 1.5 g/L and 40 mM, respectively. For surface treatment with 1 g/L polydopamine and 40 mM TRIS, the bending strength was the best and improved by more than 11%.