Ceramic Coatings for Fiber Matrix Composites: Titania Thin Films on Bismaleimide-glass Fiber Composites

Bismaleimide polymer composites were coated with adherent, uniform, crack-free, titania films. Selective deposition of either crystalline (anatase) or amorphous films was achieved as a function of deposition conditions. Films are deposited under near ambient conditions from aqueous solution and thus can be adapted to any sample geometry and still provide complete coating of the polymer composite substrate. They can be obtained crack-free in thicknesses up to 0.5 μm by using drying procedures that combine temperature and humidity control.