| Abstract: | Poly(p-phenylene benzobisthiozol) (PBZT) fibers were subjected to radio-frequency (RF)-induced, glow-discharge plasma treatments using argon and carbon dioxide gases in order to modify the adhesion of the fibers to bisphenol-A epoxy. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) was used as a measure of the adhesion and was determined using the microbond technique. Scanning electron photomicrographs revealed no visible surface etching at magnifications of up to 10 000 x . Slight, but statistically significant, improvements in IFSS were noted with the CO2 plasma-treated fibers as compared with control fibers, but Ar plasma-treated fibers showed no improvement. |
