Effect of Plasma Treatment on Mechanical Interfacial Properties of Carbon Fiber/Nylon 6 Composites

In this study, PAN-based carbon fabrics were treated with plasma generated from argon and oxygen for surface modification. The effects of plasma treatment on the interfacial binding force of carbon/nylon 6 composites were investigated. Chemical changes on the surface of the carbon fiber due to plasma treatment were studied with the help of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Atomic-force microscopy was used to examine the surface morphology of the carbon fibers. The effect of the duration of the plasma treatment on the surface energy of the carbon fibers was investigated, and mechanical tests for carbon/nylon 6 composites were conducted. It was found that functional groups of hydroxyl and carboxyl were created on the surface of the carbon fibers owing to the plasma treatment. Furthermore, the interfacial binding force improved with an increase in the duration of the plasma treatment.