Effects of A, B, and S components on fiber length distribution, mechanical, and impact properties of carbon fiber/ABS composites produced by different processing methods

Carbon fiber/ABS composites with different acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene components were produced via extrusion/injection and long fiber thermoplastic (LFT)/injection molding processes, respectively. The effect of the components on fiber length distribution, tensile, flexural, impact, and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites was investigated. The properties of carbon fiber/ABS composites produced using 12 mm‐long LFT pellets were markedly higher than those produced using extruded pellets made with 12 mm‐long chopped carbon fibers. Uses of LFT pellets were preferable to enhancing the mechanical properties of carbon fiber/ABS composites. The tensile, flexural, and dynamic mechanical properties were increased in order of ABS750sw > ABS720 ≥ ABS780 > ABS740, whereas the impact strength was increased in order of ABS740 > ABS780 > ABS720 ≈ ABS750sw. Less carbon fiber damages and less carbon fiber length degradation upon LFT processing resulted in longer fiber length distribution and higher fiber aspect ratio in the composites with LFT pellets, indicating a beneficial reinforcing effect, which was responsible for the increased mechanical properties of ABS composites, particularly with ABS750sw. The results were agreed with each other, significantly depending on the A, B, and S components, being supported by fiber length distribution, fiber aspect ratio, and fracture surfaces. Effects of A, B, and S components on carbon fiber/ABS composite properties were explored, comparing the composite properties between extrusion and long fiber thermoplastic (LFT) processes, being influenced by the carbon fiber length distribution. The mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and impact properties significantly depend on ABS matrix types. LFT pellets made with ABS750sw were preferable to enhancing the mechanical properties.