Effects of different silanization followed via the sol-gel growing of silica nanoparticles onto carbon fiber on interfacial strength of silicone resin composites

Effects of different silanization followed via the sol-gel growing of silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 ) onto carbon fibers (CFs) on interfacial strength of silicone resin composites were investigated systematically. CFs were grafted with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) at different conditions to introduce amino groups (CF-NH 2 ) or ethoxy groups (CF-Siloxane) for improving interfacial interaction between CFs and SiO 2 . Experimental results indicated that SiO 2 was grown onto different functionalized CFs successfully, which enhanced the wettability owing to the increases of fiber polarity and surface roughness. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of SiO 2 modified CFs composites enhanced significantly, especially for CF-Siloxane grafted with SiO 2 (CF-Siloxane-SiO 2 ), increasing 46.79% in ILSS and 39.61% in IFSS. Additionally, the introduced Si O C bonds increased hydrothermal aging resistance of the resulting composites greatly.