INFLUENCE OF LOW-ENERGY ION FLOW ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CARBON FIBERS AND FABRICS USED AS REINFIRCING ELEMENTS FOR PRODUCING COMPOSITE MATERIALS

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the influence of a low-energy ion flow on the physical properties of carbon fibers and fabrics in order to increase their adhesive interaction with polymer fabric when producing composite materials. Modification modes of carbon fiber materials are determined, which make it possible to increase the wettability of the polymer matrix by 23-70%, increase capillarity to 170%, and at the same time reduce the interfacial angle by 21-40%. Also, the specific surface area of the modified samples increases up to 76% for carbon fabrics and up to 184% for carbon fibers. The duration of the modification effect is found out: within 90 days, carbon fibers show a decrease in capillarity of only 10-12%. Microscopic analysis reveals that modification in the selected modes has no noticeable effect on the geometric dimensions of carbon fiber materials. According to the results of the conducted research, modified carbon fiber materials are recommended as reinforcing fillers for obtaining composite materials with enhanced mechanical characteristics.