Effects of Plasma Treatment of Reinforcing Fibers on the Weathering Stability and Fatigue Behavior of Carbon Fiber Composites After Impact

Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites were manufactured using the vacuum infusion technique. Composite samples were subjected to impact and then exposed to various weathering conditions. Static and dynamic mechanical tests were performed to evaluate the effect of an additional process step, a plasma treatment of the carbon fiber fabric, before the composite is manufactured. Scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis were used to get further information on the degree of damage after weathering. Treating the reinforcing carbon fibers with air plasma resulted in improved strength values and fatigue behavior of the epoxy resin composite. This performance enhancement persisted even after low-energy mechanical stress and subsequent weathering.