Surface modification of aramid fiber by air DBD plasma at atmospheric pressure with continuous on-line processing

Aramid fiber (AF) samples are modified by air dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma at atmospheric pressure. Plasma discharge power density and sample treatment time are investigated as the major parameters. Modified AF is characterized by SEM, XPS and wettability tests. It is shown that the surface roughness is improved, the O/C atomic ratio is increased from 15.99% to 27.15%, and the surface wettability is also enhanced significantly. It is also found that the improvements of physical and chemical properties increased with increasing power density and treatment time. The experiment is operated in the case of continuous on-line processing with properly high speed of AF transmission. It is close to industrial production and application. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.