Enhanced out of Plane Electrical Conductivity in Polymer Composites Induced by CO2 Laser Irradiation of Carbon Fibers
, Michaella Konstantinidou 1,2, Alkiviadis S. Paipetis 2 and Pagona Papakonstantinou 1,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In the manuscript “Enhanced out of plane electrical conductivity in polymer 2 composites induced by CO2 laser irradiation of carbon fibers”, the authors investigate the use of commercially available CO2 laser as a means of nano-structuring the surface of carbon fiber (CF) tows in a continuous throughput process, indicating that the laser induced graphitisation of the CF surface can act as an interface for fast and cost-effective manufacturing of multifunctional CFRP composite materials.
In my opinion, the work is interesting and sufficiently structured and characterized. This paper can be considered for publication if the following points are adequately addressed by the authors:
- Based on the results obtained, the authors should explain the advantages offered by the use of the CO2 laser irradiation on CF tow and unidirectional carbon cloth under conditions suitable for inducing CF surface texturing without breaking the fibers, and the possible limitations and/or drawbacks with respect to other techniques, also in consideration of a possible technological transfer. These aspects are very important and must be discussed in the paper also in light of the fact that the authors in the conclusions state "In summary, the activation of the CFs’ surface by a CO2 laser beam was investigated for the first time as a novel and simple route to enhance the out of plane electrical conductivity of fabricated CFRP without simultaneously deteriorating their interlaminar mechanical properties.”
- The CFRP laminates were fabricated following a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process (VARTM). The authors should also include this information in the introduction section also explaining why they used this technique, preferring it to others commonly used for the manufacture of the CFRP.
Author Response
Please see attached file
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
In the article “Enhanced out of plane electrical conductivity in polymer composites induced by CO2 laser irradiation of carbon fibers” the authors study the effect of the carbon fibers irradiation with a CO2 laser on the electrical conductivity of the composite. In the article they study the interlaminar fracture properties and verify this laser treatment does not induce a loss of the adhesion between fibers and the polymer matrix. Mechanical and electrical characterization have been performed toghether with a complete microstructural analysis.
The experimental procedures are well described and results are clearly showed and summarized in graphs and tables. The analysis of the results and their discussion is complete.
The article can be published after few corrections:
Line 66 - please check the font of the unit symbol.
Line 145 - please enlarge the writings in the labels of Figure 2.
Line 182 - please add the length unit (cm).
Line 324 - please check the Figure number: from the description seems to be Figure 12 not Figure 11.
Author Response
Please see attached file
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
