This work correlates the chemistry of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins, its functionalities with their microstructural and mechanical properties in composite materials. The main focus is put on the development of the pores in dependence on the chemical composition of the resins and their influence on the structure of the material. Chemical characteristics of the synthesized resins are analyzed and physical/mechanical properties of the matrices based on PF resins are determined. Differences in the chemical properties are detected e.g. by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. They indicate the existence of similar molecular basic structure units, but different network conditions of the resins. DSC investigations point on different reaction mechanisms and temperatures; they reveal also their changed thermal behavior. The bulk matrix behavior differs from that of the composite based on the same resin due to the three dimensional stress and strain fields in the composites. The structure of the CFRP composites is strongly depended on the fiber/matrix interaction. The fiber matrix bonding (FMB) strength controls the load transfer via shear forces and therefore the segmentation of the fiber bundles.

This work correlates the chemistry of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins, its functionalities with their microstructural and mechanical properties in composite materials. The main focus is put on the development of the pores in dependence on the chemical composition of the resins and their influence on the structure of the material. Chemical characteristics of the synthesized resins are analyzed and physical/mechanical properties of the matrices based on PF resins are determined. Differences in the chemical properties are detected e.g. by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. They indicate the existence of similar molecular basic structure units, but different network conditions of the resins. DSC investigations point on different reaction mechanisms and temperatures; they reveal also their changed thermal behavior. The bulk matrix behavior differs from that of the composite based on the same resin due to the three dimensional stress and strain fields in the composites. The structure of the CFRP composites is strongly depended on the fiber/matrix interaction. The fiber matrix bonding (FMB) strength controls the load transfer via shear forces and therefore the segmentation of the fiber bundles.:1 Introduction 2 Theoretical Overview 2.1 Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins 2.1.1 Overview 2.1.2 Reactions of phenol-formaldehyde resin 2.1.2.1 Addition reaction 2.1.2.2 Condensation reaction 2.1.2.3 Curing 2.1.3 Application of phenol-formaldehyde resin 2.2 Carbon-Fiber 2.2.1 PAN type carbon fiber 2.2.2 Pitch type carbon fiber 2.2.3 Application of carbon fiber 2.3 Composites 2.3.1 Carbon fiber composites 2.3.2 Matrix 2.3.3. Interfaces 2.3.3.1 Carbon fiber side interface between carbon fiber and matrix 2.3.3.2 Matrix side interface between carbon fiber and matrix 2.3.3.3 Toughening of fiber-reinforced polymer 3 Goal and Works 3.1 Problem and Motivation 3.2 Objective and Works plan 4 Experiments and Methods 4.1 Materials 4.1.1 Chemical reagents 4.1.2 Carbon fiber weave 4.2 Synthesis of Resin 4.3 Fabrication of Matrix 4.4. Measurement methods and Experimental approach 4.4.1 Chemical analysis 4.4.2 Microstructure characterization 4.4.3 Mechanical test 5 Chemical characterization of modified phenol-formaldehyde resin 5.1 Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) 5.1.1 Introduction 5.1.2 Preparation and Measurement 5.1.3 Results and Discussion 5.2 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) 5.2.1 Liquid 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy 5.2.1.1 Introduction 5.2.1.2 Preparation and Measurement 5.2.1.3 Results and Discussion 5.2.2 Solid 13C CP-MAS Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy 5.2.2.1 Introduction 5.2.2.2 Preparation and Measurement 5.2.2.3 Results and Discussion 5.3 Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA) 5.3.1 Introduction 5.3.2 Preparation and Measurement 5.3.3 Results and Discussion 5.3.3.1 Simultaneous Thermal Analysis 5.3.3.2 Different Scanning Calorimetry 5.4 Conclusion 6 Microstructural Characterization 6.1 Porosity 6.1.1 Introduction 6.1.2 Preparation and Measurement 6.1.3 Results and Discussion 6.1.3.1 Density 6.1.3.2 Porosity 6.2 Morphology 6.2.1 Introduction 6.2.2 Preparation and Measurement 6.2.3 Results and Discussion 6.2.3.1 Optical Microscopy 6.3.3.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy 6.3.3.2.1 Observation of the bulk matrix 6.2.3.2.2 Structural observation of the composite 6.3 Conclusion 7 Mechanical Properties 7.1 Hardness test 7.1.1 Introduction 7.1.2 Preparation and Measurement 7.1.3 Results and Discussion 7.2 Micro-bending test 7.2.1 Introduction 7.2.2 Preparation and Measurement 7.2.3 Results and Discussion 7.3 Conclusion 8 Summary and Conclusion 8.1 Summary 8.2 Conclusion 9 References