A novel bio-based hyperbranched waterborne polyurethane sizing agent with superior UV-resistance and interfacial properties for CF/PA6 composites

On account of environment concerns and the gradually depletion of fossil resources , a hyperbranched waterborne polyurethane (HWPU) serving for sizing agent of carbon fibers (CF) was designed based on bio-based materials. Hyperbranched chain extender named CAG was synthesized by citric acid (CA) and glycerol as HWPU precursor. Tartaric acid (TA) was coordinated with nano titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) through two –COOH groups, which was introduced to HWPU as the chain extender, leading to a significant improvement in ultraviolet (UV)-resistant of the sizing agent. The interfacial performance promotion of CF reinforced nylon 6 (CF/PA6) composites contributed by the HWPU sizing agent were systematically investigated. In contrast to the untreated CF composites , the mechanical performance arrived the best improvement after sizing by concentration of 1.5 wt%, which exhibited a dramatic promote of 44.9% in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), 58.7% in interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and 43.3% in flexural strength . Extraordinary, the treated CF composites remained over 98% of mechanical performance after a week of unremitting ultraviolet irradiation, signifying the outstanding UV-resistance of the TiO 2 modified HWPU sizing agent.