Effect of air plasma treatment on the mechanical properties of polyphenylene sulfide/glass fiber cloth composites

In this research study, air plasma-treated polyphenylene sulfide film was used to prepare polyphenylene sulfide/glass fiber cloth composites for improving interfacial adhesion and mechanical properties. The effect of air plasma treatment on the properties of polyphenylene sulfide films was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle analysis. According to the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, it was found that plasma treatment led to the emergence of oxygen-containing polar groups on the film surface. The intensity of sulfide oxides (S = O and O = S = O) on the surface of polyphenylene sulfide films increased to 79.03% after it was modified by air plasma. Water droplet contact angle analysis indicated that plasma treatment significantly increased the hydrophilicity of the polyphenylene sulfide film. The contact angle was 38 degrees for plasma-treated polyphenylene sulfide film, compared to 78.5 degrees for untreated polyphenylene sulfide film. Tensile strength and notched impact strength of plasma-treated polyphenylene sulfide/glass fiber cloth (50/50) composite increased by 11% (from 248.49 MPa to 275.70 MPa) and 18% (from 52.26 KJ/m² to 61.43 KJ/m²), respectively, compared with the raw specimen, which was consistent with the morphology analysis result. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of the composites were improved with the increased discharge power density and treatment time.