Hydrofluoric Acid's Impact on Carbon Fiber Composites Degradation

Yes, there is literature on why hydrofluoric acid solutions exacerbate the degradation of carbon fiber composites.

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a highly corrosive acid that can react with carbon fibers in composites, leading to degradation and weakening of the material. The reaction between HF and carbon fibers occurs due to the strong affinity of fluoride ions for carbon atoms.

Several studies have investigated the effect of HF on carbon fiber composites. For example, a study published in the 'Journal of Composite Materials' (2012) found that exposure to HF solutions led to a reduction in the mechanical properties of carbon fiber composites. The study attributed this to the chemical reaction between the fluoride ions and the carbon fibers, which caused the fibers to break down and weaken.

Another study published in the 'Journal of Materials Science' (2009) investigated the effect of HF on the microstructure of carbon fiber composites. The study found that exposure to HF caused the carbon fibers to become rougher and more porous, which reduced the strength of the material.

Overall, the literature suggests that HF solutions can exacerbate the degradation of carbon fiber composites by chemically reacting with the carbon fibers, leading to a reduction in mechanical properties and microstructural changes.