Surface modification of high-strength reinforcing fibers by plasma treatment

Technical Report · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5470195

Smith, M D

Allied-Signal Inc., Kansas City Division, has, for several years, used plasma treatments to dry, activate, and clean polymeric surfaces to provide enhanced adhesive bonding. Work in this area generated positive expectations regarding the plasma treatment of fibers. Gas plasma treatment of fibers, prior to impregnation with epoxy resin, was anticipated to yield significantly higher bond strengths between fibers or layers of fibers in a wet lay-up composite. This project tested the effects of plasma treatment on polyaramid, polyethylene, and graphite fibers. A continuous plasma treatment unit and a filament winder were used to treat the fibers and then wrap them into T-peel specimens for testing. Significant increases in resin-to-fiber bond strength were demonstrated for polyaramid and polyethylene fibers. Increases in T-peel strength of 200 to 500 percent over untreated fiber were the norm for those plasma-treated fibers. Graphite fibers showed some improvement in bond strength by plasma treatment, although the increases were not as significant as with the other two fibers. Future work in this area includes a new project now underway. The purpose of that project is to characterize and evaluate product applications for continuous plasma treatment and resin impregnation of high-strength reinforcing fibers including tapes, straps, and woven fabrics made of those fibers. 2 refs., 13 figs., 5 tabs.

• Research Organization: Allied-Signal Aerospace Co., Kansas City, MO (United States). Kansas City Div.
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00613
• OSTI ID: 5470195
• Report Number(s): KCP-613-4369; ON: DE91016481
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360601* -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
360603 -- Materials-- Properties
ARAMIDS
BONDING
CARBON
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
FIBERS
GRAPHITE
JOINING
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MINERALS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASMA
PLASTICS
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
PROGRESS REPORT
REINFORCED MATERIALS
RESINS
SURFACE TREATMENTS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TENSILE PROPERTIES