Fibers for fiber-reinforced resin of the present invention are fibers for fiber-reinforced resin to which a sizing agent is adhered. The fibers are at least one selected from carbon fibers and glass fibers, and an ester bond (COO) generated by denaturation of the sizing agent is present on surfaces of the fibers. A method for producing the same according to the present invention includes: subjecting fibers to which a sizing agent is adhered to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of ozone oxidation, ultraviolet irradiation at a wavelength of 400 nm or less, and a plasma treatment. The fibers are at least one selected from carbon fibers and glass fibers. Thus, it is possible to provide carbon fibers having enhanced wettability to a matrix resin and thereby allowing the matrix resin to be impregnated between the fibers easily.

Fibers for fiber-reinforced resin of the present invention are fibers for fiber-reinforced resin to which a sizing agent is adhered. The fibers are at least one selected from carbon fibers and glass fibers, and an ester bond (COO) generated by denaturation of the sizing agent is present on surfaces of the fibers. A method for producing the same according to the present invention includes: subjecting fibers to which a sizing agent is adhered to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of ozone oxidation, ultraviolet irradiation at a wavelength of 400 nm or less, and a plasma treatment. The fibers are at least one selected from carbon fibers and glass fibers. Thus, it is possible to provide carbon fibers having enhanced wettability to a matrix resin and thereby allowing the matrix resin to be impregnated between the fibers easily.

A system for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that has one or more reels of fiber tow, a cutting element configured to receive the fiber tow to form chopped fiber, and a tube with introduced gas flow configured to receive the chopped fiber. A moving belt is positioned under the tube to collect the chopped fiber. A dispenser is positioned along the moving belt for applying a binder or additive. A treatment chamber receives the treated chopped fiber. A process for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that supplies one or more reels of fiber tow to a cutting system, drops the chopped fiber into a tube with introduced gas flow to debundle the chopped fiber with a vortex, collects the chopped fiber exiting the tube onto a moving belt, chemically treats the chopped fiber, and provides the chemically treated chopped to a treatment chamber.

A system for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that has one or more reels of fiber tow, a cutting element configured to receive the fiber tow to form chopped fiber, and a tube with introduced gas flow configured to receive the chopped fiber. A moving belt is positioned under the tube to collect the chopped fiber. A dispenser is positioned along the moving belt for applying a binder or additive. A treatment chamber receives the treated chopped fiber. A process for debundling fiber tow into chopped fibers is provided that supplies one or more reels of fiber tow to a cutting system, drops the chopped fiber into a tube with introduced gas flow to debundle the chopped fiber with a vortex, collects the chopped fiber exiting the tube onto a moving belt, chemically treats the chopped fiber, and provides the chemically treated chopped to a treatment chamber.

Disclosed are methods of and systems for creating an anti reflection structure surface (ARSS) on a fiber optic tip, as well as fiber optic tips themselves. A representative method can comprise providing a fiber optic having a first tip at a first end of the fiber optic and a second tip at a second end of the fiber optic opposite the first end of the fiber optic, each of the first and second tip having an end face; disposing a layer of masking material on a surface of the end face of one of the fiber optic tips; exposing the layer of masking material to a laser to form one or more metal islands of the surface of the fiber optic tip; and etching the surface to provide one or more anti reflection structures on the surface of the fiber optic tip.

Disclosed are methods of and systems for creating an anti reflection structure surface (ARSS) on a fiber optic tip, as well as fiber optic tips themselves. A representative method can comprise providing a fiber optic having a first tip at a first end of the fiber optic and a second tip at a second end of the fiber optic opposite the first end of the fiber optic, each of the first and second tip having an end face; disposing a layer of masking material on a surface of the end face of one of the fiber optic tips; exposing the layer of masking material to a laser to form one or more metal islands of the surface of the fiber optic tip; and etching the surface to provide one or more anti reflection structures on the surface of the fiber optic tip.

An electric arc apparatus for processing an optical fiber includes one or more first electrodes and one or more second electrodes. The first electrode(s) each have an end portion that terminates at an opening defined by the first electrode(s). The opening is configured to accommodate the optical fiber extending along a longitudinal axis. The second electrode(s) each have an end portion that terminates at a location spaced from the opening defined by the first electrode(s). The first electrode(s) or second electrode(s) are configured to receive a voltage that generates a plasma field between the first electrode(s) and second electrode(s), which are shaped to focus the plasma field so that the plasma field extends across the longitudinal axis and modifies the end of the optical fiber. Methods of processing an optical fiber with an electric arc apparatus are also disclosed.

Surface treated fibers and methods of treating individual fiber surfaces. One exemplary method includes subjecting a precursor gas to a plasma-generating discharge within an atmospheric plasma generator to generate a reactive species flow including reactive oxygen species, and exposing a reinforcing fiber to the reactive species flow for a treatment time sufficient to functionalize the reinforcing fiber with oxygen such that at least one of a composite matrix interfacial adhesion of the reinforcing fiber or a composite matrix interfacial strength of the reinforcing fiber, increases. The precursor gas preferably includes a carrier gas and an oxidative gas, the oxidative gas being contained in an amount of up to 25% by volume of the precursor gas.

A reinforced composite is provided that includes at least one planar fiber reinforcement or fabric formed from a plurality of fibers. The fiber reinforcement or fabric has a first side and a second side. The reinforced composite further includes a chemical treatment coated on at least one of said first side and second side and a matrix material.