Adhesive wear performance of polyetherimide composites with plasma treated carbon fabric

Carbon fibers are known for limited physical–chemical interaction with the matrix due to their inertness. An adequate surface treatment is required to get better adhesion and hence stronger composites. In this paper, potential of cold remote nitrogen oxygen plasma in adhesive wear studies of composites has been investigated. Four composites (developed with untreated and treated fabrics with three doses of plasma) in the form of pin were slid against mild steel disk under varying loads. The treated composites exhibited superior tribo-properties as compared to the composite with untreated fabric. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed increased roughness on fiber morphology after treatment.