Effects of moisture on interface modified graphite epoxy composites

Abstract Graphite epoxy composites which are exposed to high humidity environments suffer a loss in their shear and transverse properties. In addition to the effect of moisture on the matrix, thermodynamic theories suggest that the interface may suffer irreversible damage. In this study, we investigated if fiber surface treatments could improve fiber matrix adhesion as well as the wet composite properties. Plasma polymerization was used to generate very thin coatings with the polar component of the surface energy varying from 1.8 to 5.3 (dyne/cm)^1/2. These coatings were characterized by ESCA and SEM, and a micro‐Wilhelmy technique was used to determine the dispersive and polar components of the surface energy. The uniaxial composites made with the treated fibers were tested wet and dry in short beam shear. It was found, as is well known, that the dry shear properties could be improved by up to 40 percent. Two effective treatments were oxygen etching and polymerization with methylmethacrylate monomer. However, all the wet samples failed at the same stress regardless of the surface treatment used. These results strongly suggest that the shear and transverse properties of the wet composites are dominated by the epoxy and cannot be improved by interface treatments.