Abstract
Unsized AS-4 carbon fibers were etched by RF plasma and then coated via plasma polymerization in order to enhance adhesion to vinyl ester resin. The gases utilized for the plasma etching were Ar, $N_2 and O_2$, while the monomers used for the plasma polymerization coating were acetylene, butadiene and acrylonitrile. The conditions for the plasma etching and the plasma polymerization were optimized by measuring interfacial adhesion with vinyl ester resin via micro-droplet tests. Among the treatment conditions, the combination of Ar plasma etching and acetylene plasma polymerization provided greatly improved interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of 69MPa compared to 43MPa with as-received carbon fiber. Based on the SEM analysis of failure surface and load-displacement curve, it was assume that the failure might be occurred at the carbon fiber and plasma polymer coating. The plasma etched and plasma polymer coated carbon fibers were subjected to analysis with SEM, XPS, FT-IR or Alpha-Step, and dynamic contact angles and tensile strengths were also evaluated. Plasma polymer coatings did not change tensile strength and surface roughness of fibers, but decreased water contact angle except butadiene plasma polymer coating, possibly owing to the functional groups introduced, as evidenced by FT-IR and XPS.