EFFECTS OF PLASMA AND NITRIC ACID TREATMENT OF CARBON FIBERS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER COMPOSITES

Polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers were submitted to nitric acid oxidation and a dielectric barrier discharge treatment to improve the interfacial adhesion in carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer composites. The mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results obtained showed that the tensile strength of the composites improved considerably due to the treatments.