Enhancing hygrothermal resistance of aeronautical carbon fabric/epoxy composites via air plasma processing |
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Authors: | Baichen Wang Junjie Li Yu Gao |
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Affiliation: | 1. Liaoning Key Laboratory of General Aviation, Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang, China;2. Liaoning Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymer Matrix Composites, Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang, Chinawang_baichen@126.com;4. Liaoning Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymer Matrix Composites, Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang, China |
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Abstract: | Air plasma processing is introduced as a surface modification technique for carbon fibers to enhance the hygrothermal resistance of carbon fabric/epoxy composites. On carbon fiber surface subjected to 4-min plasma processing, there are 37.6% of carbon species present as –C–O–C groups and 9.3% of carbon species as –COOH groups. The moisture adsorption behavior of composites can be described by Fick’s law. Increase in temperature accelerates the initial moisture adsorption rate and results in a higher diffusion coefficient. The decreasing interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of composites is mainly ascribed to the loss of adhesion at the fiber/matrix interface. A lower equilibrium moisture content of composites is caused by air plasma processing, which leads to the improved interfacial bonding strength and the higher retention rate of ILSS of carbon fabric/epoxy composites. The interface sensitivity and temperature dependence of moisture adsorption for carbon fabric/epoxy composites are discussed. The results presented herein demonstrate an effective strategy for enhancing hygrothermal resistance of carbon fiber-reinforced composites. |
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Keywords: | Carbon fiber composites air plasma processing interface hygrothermal resistance |
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