Influence of argon plasma treatment on carbon fibre reinforced high performance thermoplastic composite

Abstract

This investigation highlights argon plasma treatment on Poly-aryl-ether-ketone (PAEK) and carbon fibre (CF) surface. The PAEK and CF surface is modified for 300 sec and the change in physiochemical and mechanical properties were investigated through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic Contact angle, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and Tensile Test. FTIR of surface modified PAEK revealed the stretching of C-H, C=C and C=O functional groups. A reversal phenomenon of increased surface energy was observed through dynamic contact angle study of CF and to further examine the surface energy effect, AFM analysis on CF was carried out revealing increased roughness with numerous micro dents formation. PAEK/CF composite samples were fabricated through compression moulding technique. The change in mechanical properties due to surface modification were analysed through Tensile testing on surface modified PAEK/CF sample and untreated PAEK/CF samples. The surface treated PAEK/CF showed increased tensile strength than untreated PAEK/CF. The argon plasma treatment helped in creating depth striations that lead to better interlocking of resin matrix with the reinforced CF. The fracture surface was examined through Filed Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) wherein the Micrographs of the tensile tested samples indicated failure of composite due to fibre breakage.