Exploring potential of Micro-Raman spectroscopy for correlating graphitic distortion in carbon fibers with stresses in erosive wear studies of PEEK composites

Cold remote oxygen nitrogen plasma (CRNOP) treatment was used to enhance reactivity of carbon fabric (CF) towards PEEK. The composite with treated fibers exhibited significantly better mechanical properties due to enhanced fiber–matrix adhesion as evidenced from SEM studies. It was of interest to examine the effect of the treatment on erosive wear performance with variation in angle of impingement and under elevated temperatures. The treatment proved successful in imparting wear resistance to the composite as compared to that with untreated CF. Efforts were made to study correlation between mechanical properties and erosive wear behavior at high temperature. Micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS) was used to analyze the effect CRNOP treatment on CF and also to study stresses introduced during the erosion of CF-PEEK composites at different angles of impingement. Fairly good correlation was observed in wear rate and strain produced on the surfaces of fibers. SEM was used to understand wear mechanisms.

Research highlights
► Plasma treatment to carbon fabric proved beneficial for improvement in fiber–matrix adhesion and hence; mechanical and erosive wear properties of the composites.
► Micro Raman studies showed very good correlations in strain produced in the fibers due to treatment as well as erosion at various angles of impingements.
► With the increase in composite temperature both erosion wear resistance and tensile strength decreased.