Aging behavior of dielectric barrier discharge‐modified Twaron fibers in different storage environments

The aging behavior of air dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment was investigated by storing the treated fibers respectively in air and in the oxidizing environment. Based on several testing methods, this study led us to the conclusion that the aging effects in the oxidizing environment were less obvious than that in air. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the decay of fiber surface polar groups was more remarkable for fibers aged in air. The atomic force microscopy photos showed that the further oxidation generated by the oxidizing chemicals such as ozone increased fiber surface roughness. Thus, there was no obvious reduction in the wettability of the modified fibers during the aging process in the oxidizing environment. These changes in surface properties could explain the variation in interlaminar shear strength of Twaron fiber reinforced composites. After the fibers were aged in air for 48 h, interlaminar shear strength of the composites declined by 18.4% while had a decrease of only 11.4% after aging for 48 h in the case of the oxidizing environment. The results were supported by the water absorption test, which also reflected the effects of different storage conditions on the composite interfacial adhesion, and showed the inhibitory effect of the oxidizing environment on plasma aging. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.