Surface modification of polyimide fibers by oxygen plasma treatment and interfacial adhesion behavior of a polyimide fiber/epoxy composite

Oxygen plasma was used to enhance the surface behavior of polyimide (PI) fibers and PI fiber-reinforced epoxy composites were prepared in our present work. The effects of plasma treating times on the surface properties of PI fiber and the interfacial adhesion of PI fiber/epoxy composites were investigated. Surface chemical composition, surface morphologies and surface free energy of the fibers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and dynamic contact angle analysis, respectively. The results suggest that some oxygen functional groups were introduced onto PI fiber surfaces, and the surface roughness of fibers was enhanced. Resultantly, the surface free energy of fibers and the interfacial adhesion of composites were improved by the oxygen plasma treatment. The interlaminar shear strength of the composites increased to 70 MPa when the fibers were treated for 10 min, which proved good interfacial adhesion properties.