The Influence of Plasma Surface Treatment of Carbon Fibers on the Interfacial Adhesion Properties of UHMWPE Composite

Carbon fiber-reinforced Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (CF/UHMWPE) composites have been treated by oxygen plasma to enhance the adhesion. According to the plasma treatment, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of composites has been greatly improved. The dynamic wetting method, FTIR and SEM are used to examine the microscopic properties of resultant composites. The enhanced ILSS is attributed to the plasma cavitation, which improves the wetting between carbon fibers and resins.