Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
The effects of plasma treatments on the physical and chemical characteristics of carbon fiber surface and on the mechanical properties of carbon fiber/bismaleimide (BMI) resin composites were investigated. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and wettability measurements were applied for fiber surface characterization. Oxygen plasmas were found to be effective in enhancing the interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber and BMI matrix. Possible mechanisms of interfacial adhesion promotion were suggested and discussed.