Damage evolution behavior of cold plasma treated glass fiber/vinyl ester resin composites under bending load by acoustic emission

This study reveals the preparation and mechanical characterization of cold plasma treated glass fiber/vinyl ester resin composites. The surface characteristics and bending failure mechanism of composites treated by oxygen, argon and nitrogen glow discharge plasma were studied by acoustic emission. The results showed that the bending resistance of argon plasma treated glass fiber reinforced composites exhibited highest. The composite treated by oxygen plasma produced AE signals with a frequency of more than 300 kHz, indicating that the fiber was damaged and the material was brittle, which reduced the strength and plasticity of the material. The bending stress in warp direction was greater than that in weft direction. The bending resistance of the cold plasma treated glass fiber/vinyl ester resin composites was the highest under the conditions of power 150W, flow rate 10sccm and time 120s.