Strengthening of CF/PEEK interface to improve the tribological performance in low amplitude oscillating wear mode

An attempt was made to improve the interfacial adhesion strength in carbon fabric/polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) composites using plasma modification of the carbon fiber surfaces. A static press method was used to fabricate CF/PEEK composites using unmodified and plasma modified carbon fibers. The influence of plasma treatment on fiber matrix interfacial shear strength was studied using a fragmentation test. The wear performance of composites was evaluated using low amplitude oscillation. A high limiting load was predicted for all modified composites. Scanning electron microscopy technique was used to support the wear trends among the composites and further investigations for underlying mechanisms. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.