Effect of Alkali on Aging Properties of Carbon Fiber Composite Core

In order to understand the effect of alkali factor on the material properties of carbon fiber composite conductor, the aging behaviors of the composite core are evaluated in alkali solution media. Accelerated aging test was carried out in alkali solutions. The resistance of the composite core was evaluated in terms of alteration in the mechanical (flexural), componential (by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetic analysis), and microstructural (by scanning electron microscope observation) behaviors of the material. The results showed that alkaline immersion had great effect on the properties of the composite core. It was further proved that chemical aging of composite core occurred in alkaline solution. The performance of the composite core was directly related to the resin matrix and the compound interface due to the effect of resin matrix transferring load to carbon fiber.