Aluminum alloy matrix samples reinforced with short carbon fibers or hybrid SiCp composites were prepared, and friction and wear tests were carried out on a wear test machine using a rotation ring on a stationary disk at high load. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays were used to investigate the composites, worn surface, wear debris and composition changes after wear. By comparison with Al alloy, Al/SCF and Al/SCF/SiCp, the results indicate that the incorporation of SCF into Al alloys improves the wear resistance significantly, the combination of a mechanically mixed layer formed on the worn surface and hard SiCp are responsible for the good tribological properties of the hybrid Al/SCF/SiCp composites at high load. During sliding, an obvious decrease in the temperature rise with SCF addition is attributed to the good anti-friction of SCF.

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The surface of magnesium oxysulfate (MOS) whiskers was treated through plasma polymerization to increase the compatibility between the MOS whiskers and a polymer matrix. Different plasma parameters were chosen to determine the most hydrophobic coating. The surface structure of the plasma‐treated MOS whiskers was examined. The MOS whiskers retained their crystal structure after plasma treatment, as shown by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy analyses revealed that a polymer sheath was formed on the surface of the MOS whiskers, and interfacial chemical bonds were generated between the polymer sheath and the MOS whiskers. The thin‐layer polymer sheath was uniform around the entire surface of the MOS whiskers and exhibited a typical amorphous structure, as determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analyses. The possible reaction mechanism on the surface of the MOS whiskers under plasma treatment was then proposed. Finally, the effect of surface treatment was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), measurement of the contact angle and contact angle hysteresis, and torque rheometer. Results showed that plasma treatment could markedly increase the hydrophobicity of the MOS whiskers' surface, effectively reducing the agglomeration and improving the dispersibility of the MOS whiskers in the matrix, which results in the improved compatibility between the MOS whiskers and the polyvinyl matrix, as well as the processability of the composites.