Analysis of the Effects of Atmospheric Helium Plasma Treatment on the Surface Structure of Jute Fibres and Resulting Composite Properties

• Published in: Journal of adhesion science and technology Vol. 23; no. 16; pp. 2109 - 2120
• Main Authors: Kafi, Abdullah A., Hurren, Christopher J., Huson, Mickey G., Fox, Bronwyn L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2009; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Applied sciences; ATMOSPHERIC HELIUM PLASMA; COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION; Exact sciences and technology; FLEXURAL STRENGTH; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; JUTE; Laminates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; SPM; Technology of polymers; Laminate; coefficient of friction; Ester polymer; Fiber reinforced material; Roughness; Plasma assisted processing; Plant fiber; Mechanical properties; Experimental study; Atmospheric helium plasma; Composite material; Tensile strength; Surface treatment; Bending strength; SPM; Wettability; flexural strength; Natural fiber; Surface properties; Unsaturated polymer; Woven material; Jute
• ISSN: 0169-4243; 1568-5616
• DOI: 10.1163/016942409X12526743388006

This work investigates the mechanisms involved in the improvement of flexural properties of a jute/polyester composite when the reinforcement material has been atmospherically plasma treated using helium gas. All composites were laid-up by hand and cured using a Quickstep™ cure cycle. Surface characterization techniques including scanning probe microscopy (SPM), and surface wettability combined with fabric tensile strength, composite flexural strength and composite Mode-I properties have been used to quantify the effects of plasma modification. Flexural strength and modulus increased with plasma treatment time, reaching a maximum at 25 passes before decreasing. SPM topographical analysis showed that roughness of the fibre decreased as the plasma treatment time increased until 25 passes after which the roughness was found to increase again. The coefficient of friction increased rapidly after only a short plasma treatment time (5 passes) whilst wettability continued to increase until 25 passes after which it remained constant. The fabric tensile strength followed the same trend as the flexural properties of the composites. Decreasing fibre surface roughness is postulated as a reason for decreasing Mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness properties of the composites.