The effect of atmospheric plasma treatment of recycled carbon fiber at different plasma powers on recycled carbon fiber and its polypropylene composites

ABSTRACT To increase the mechanical properties of recycled carbon fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites, recycled carbon fibers (RCF) were subjected to atmospheric plasma treatment at different plasma powers (100, 200, and 300 W). The changes on surface topography and roughness of RCF were examined by atomic force microscopy. Plasma treatment of RCF increased the roughness value of RCF. The variation of surface elemental compositions and tensile strength of RCF were determined by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and tensile test, respectively. Plasma‐treated RCF‐reinforced PP composites were fabricated using high speed thermo‐kinetic mixer. Plasma treatment of RCF at 100 W increased the tensile and flexural strength values of RCF‐reinforced PP composites considerably by 17 and 11%, respectively. However, plasma treatment of RCF at higher plasma powers (200 W and 300 W) decreased tensile and flexural strength values of composites because of the etching of RCF. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47131.