APPLICATIONS OF PLASMA TREATMENT OF RECYCLED CARBON FIBRES
Topic(s) : Material science
Co-authors :
Jana NOVOTNÁ (CZECH REPUBLIC), Blanka TOMKOVA (CZECH REPUBLIC), Hana JELÍNEK ŠOURKOVÁAbstract :
The interface between the fibers and resin plays a key role in fiber-reinforced composites. Appropriate chemical modification of the surfaces can make the fibers easily wettable, thereby reducing cavities and bubbles in composites, especially at the fiber-resin interface. The application of plasma treatment to functionalize the surface of recycled carbon is advantageous over other treatments, mainly due to the possibility of precise setting of treatment parameters (type of gas, power, type of source). Moreover, the plasma treatment time is relatively short. The type and concentration of functional groups depend on the properties of the plasma used. They most often form hydroxyl and carboxyl groups [1-4]. In particular, after treatment fibers showed significantly more COOH groups, which are removed during recycling. For carbon fibers, the surface roughness usually increases during plasma treatment. Disadvantages of plasma treatment include that plasma-treated surfaces can be deactivated when exposed to air due to recombination of radicals and must be immediately incorporated into the matrix.
This study analyzes the mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced RCF/EP epoxy composites at low concentrations (1 wt% and 2.5 wt%) and high concentrations (20 wt% and 30 wt%) at the following concentrations:
a) recycled RCF short carbon fibers,
(b) plasma-treated recycled RCF short carbon fibers.
The mechanical properties were analyzed using the impact toughness and flexural strength test. These tests were chosen because, based on knowledge of fiber-reinforced composite materials, it can be assumed that the test specimens have low ductility. During tension, the applied tensile force would act mainly on the material matrix, and the reinforcement from short fibers would not significantly help the tensile strength. The effect of plasma on recycled carbon fibers was analyzed by XPS analysis, WCA, and SEM scanning electron microscopy.
This study analyzes the mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced RCF/EP epoxy composites at low concentrations (1 wt% and 2.5 wt%) and high concentrations (20 wt% and 30 wt%) at the following concentrations:
a) recycled RCF short carbon fibers,
(b) plasma-treated recycled RCF short carbon fibers.
The mechanical properties were analyzed using the impact toughness and flexural strength test. These tests were chosen because, based on knowledge of fiber-reinforced composite materials, it can be assumed that the test specimens have low ductility. During tension, the applied tensile force would act mainly on the material matrix, and the reinforcement from short fibers would not significantly help the tensile strength. The effect of plasma on recycled carbon fibers was analyzed by XPS analysis, WCA, and SEM scanning electron microscopy.