Three different temperature schemes were applied on carbon fiber/epoxy composite to elucidate the effect on interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS). It showed that carbon fiber/epoxy IFSS was significantly influenced by the processing temperature, while ILSS was only slightly changed. Moreover, the mechanical properties revealed no necessary relationship between the micro- and macro-interfacial strengths with the properties of epoxy matrix. Among all the temperature schemes, Pro2 (the one-platform curing scheme with relatively rapid heating rate) produced highest IFSS and ILSS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that the sizing agent can chemically react itself and also react with epoxy resin at temperature 180 degrees C. The resin rheological data showed that different temperature schemes can considerably impact diffusion behavior of the resin molecules. Hence, the highest interfacial strengths for Pro2 scheme were ascribed to large extent of chemical reactions and good inter-diffusion between components, at the interface region.