A comparative study of the wettability of steel, carbon, and polyethylene fibersby water

The wettability of fibers by water was found to increase in this order: polyethylene fiber, steel fiber, and carbon fiber. The order applies whether the fibers were surface-treated or not. Treatment with ozone was effective for improving the wettability of carbon and steel fibers. Treatment with acetone was effective for steel and polyethylene fibers. Treatments with HCI and NaOH were more effective for polyethylene fiber than acetone treatment. A contact angle of 0° was achieved by treati ng carbon fi ber with ozone.