Effect of plasma treatment on microstructure and surface of glass for plastic-based composite

Glass fibers and sheets were treated by the low temperature plasma process working with argon atmosphere in order to develop high performance glass fi ber reinforced plastic (GFRP). In particular, surface properties, such as r oughness and wetting behavior of glass fiber and sheet, were examined with plasma treatments. The surface structure of plasma-treated glass samples wa s observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscop y (AFM), and the relationship between the surface structure and the wettabi lity was discussed. Interfacial shear strength between the plasma-treated f iber and epoxy resin was evaluated. The argon plasma treatment process impr oved the interfacial shear strength up to 160% of the untreated samples. Th e nanometer-level surface roughness of glass fiber with plasma treatment pl ayed an important role in the increase in interfacial fracture behavior. It was found that the plasma treatment process was effective for fabricating high performance GFRP.