Effect of plasma treatment and electron beam radiations on the strength of nanofilled adhesive‐bonded joints

Abstract

AbstractThis investigation highlights the adhesion performance of carbon fiber‐ and glass fiber‐reinforced polyphenylene sulfide when joined by high‐performance neat epoxy adhesive and nanofilled epoxy adhesive. A significant increase in the surface energy of these materials is observed after the surface modification with atmospheric plasma treatment. An increase in surface roughness is observed after exposing the surface to plasma. Lap shear testing of untreated and plasma‐treated joints is carried out to correlate the improvement in adhesion properties with the joint strength. A considerable increase in joint strength is observed when the surfaces of these materials are modified by atmospheric pressure plasma. There is a further increase in joint strength when the composites are joined by nanofilled epoxy adhesive, and subsequent exposure to electron beam radiations results in minor increase in the joint strength. Finally, the fractured surfaces of the joints are examined and the analysis is performed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1505–1511, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers