X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of Ni-P deposited onto carbon fiber surfaces: Impact properties of a carbon-fiber-reinforced matrix

In this work, the Ni-P coating on carbon fiber surfaces was carried out in order to improve the impact resistance of carbon fibers-reinforced epoxy matrix composites. The fiber surfaces and the fracture behaviors of composites were measured in terms of X-ray diffraction spectrometry (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and falling weight impact testing. From the XRD and XPS measurements, it was observed that Ni-P coating of carbon fibers led to an increase in two phases, i.e., microcrystalline and amorphous, mainly due to the increase of NiP₂, Ni₃P, and Ni metal. Energy adsorbed by composites through the various fracture mechanisms was seen to be the characteristic distinguishing between nontreated and treated fiber-reinforced composite systems. The Ni-P alloy technique to improve the impact resistance of the composites was shown to be the modification of fiber-epoxy resin interfaces.