Effects of surface plasma treatments on adhesion properties of aerospace coatings on carbon, glass and kevlar fiber reinforced composites
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Abstract
In the field of aerospace, it is important to select materials with adequate adhesion and mechanical integrity. This study evaluated the fabrication and characterization of plasma-treated composite materials with a goal of optimizing coating adhesion strength to carbon fiber, glass fiber, and Kevlar fiber composites. The goal of this research program is to optimize the plasma treatment of composite surfaces to improve coating surface properties and adhesion, while maintaining the mechanical integrity of the composites. In this program, the composite surfaces were plasma surface treated, coated, and then tested using pull-off adhesion tests and a cross-cut adhesion test. The results showed that adhesion properties of all composite types improved significantly with plasma treatment. Plasma treatment changed the surfaces by increasing surface energy and introducing polar functional groups, which resulted in a stronger interfacial bond. The results for the pull-off adhesion test showed that plasma-treated Carbon fiber, Glass fiber and Kevlar fiber composites improved by 200.43%, 218.78%, and 149.25% respectively. The cross-cut adhesion test results showed plasma-treated carbon fiber composites improved from Grade 4B (Good Adhesion) to Grade 5B (Excellent Adhesion); glass fiber composites improved from Grade 4B to Grade 5B; and Kevlar fiber composites improved from Grade 3B (Moderate Adhesion) to Grade 4B (Good Adhesion). FTIR analysis indicated that plasma treatment created polar functional groups, including hydroxyl (OH) and carbonyl (C=O), which elevated surface energy and boosted adhesion. Additionally, contact angle measurements revealed that the treatment improved the hydrophilicity of the surfaces, further aiding adhesion. These results highlight that plasma surface treatment is a valuable technique for strengthening adhesive bonds in coatings, particularly in aerospace and other high-performance sectors where robust bonding is essential for composite materials.