Effect of plasma surface treatment on the impact behavior of basalt/epoxy composites

In this study, the effects of surface treatment of a low-temperature atmospheric oxygen plasma on basalt/epoxy composites were investigated to improve the hydrophobility of the composite surface. After the plasma treatment, the unmodified and surface treated composite laminates have been experimentally characterized by performing contact angle measurements, low-velocity impact tests and indentation depth on the impacted laminates. Results have showed a dependence of such composite properties on the plasma coating deposition and on the treatment parameters outlining the need to optimize both the plasma power and exposition time to plasma in order to assess the efficiency of the plasma treatment and establish the optimal processing conditions.