Unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced poly (vinylidene fluoride): Impact of atmospheric plasma on composite performance

A powder impregnation process with integrated inline continuous atmospheric plasma fluorination (APF) of carbon fibres to produce unidirectional carbon fibre/polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) tapes with a fibre volume fraction of 60% was developed. Carbon fibre/PVDF tapes were processed into test laminates by compression moulding and interface dominated composite properties were studied. The short beam strength of composites containing fluorinated carbon fibres improved by up to 200%. Flexural strength and modulus of laminated carbon fibre/PVDF composites containing APF treated carbon fibres increased by 110% and 37.5%, respectively. Critical energy release rate at initial crack determined using Mode I (DCB) and Mode II (ENF) tests for composites containing fluorinated carbon fibres exhibited about four times and two times enhancement, respectively, over composites made with as-received carbon fibres. Essential and non-essential work of fracture of composites containing fluorinated carbon fibres determined using the trousers test increased by 140% and 104%, respectively.