This present paper demonstrates the influence of the interphase in carbon fiber reinforced, vinyl ester composites. The interphase region of unidirectional, pultruded composites was systematically altered by choosing two different thermoplastic sizing polymers namely poly(vinylpyrrolidone) [PVP] and Polyhydroxyether of Bisphenol A (Phenoxy) and comparisons were made to an industrially available G'sizing. Static mechanical tests, fatigue and hygrothermal aging test results were used to compare their mechanical performance. The two thermoplastic sizings and in particular the Phenoxy was seen to out perform the industrial G' sizing both in terms of processing (in terms of lower fiber waviness) as well as mechanical properties. Results obtained using a currently available micro-mechanical model capable of predicting compression strength of composites with different interphases will be discussed.
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