Improving UV Resistance of Fibers: Idealized Computational Model Predicting the Distribution of UV Blocking Cylindrical Nanoparticles in Protective Polymeric Layer

Abstract

High strength fibers such as PBO and Kevlar are used to produce composites, bulletproof vests, tendons of giant scientific balloons, and other high performance products. These fibers, however, are known to degrade upon exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation which causes premature failure of the end-products. Improving UV resistance of high strength fibers like PBO through methods such as adding UV inhibiting particles during filament spinning or dyeing/coating process is not only extremely difficult, but often fails to provide the adequate UV protection. As an alternative to conventional approaches, UV protection of high performance yarns/braids can be effectively achieved by covering them with a polymeric sheath containing dispersed UV inhibiting nanoparticles. In this work, a computational model was developed to optimize critical factors such as thickness (weight) of the protective sheath and the amount of UV blockers for a given particle size, which influence the UV protective efficiency of the sheath. In order to simulate three-dimensional dispersion of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix, the model considers a random distribution of cylindrical nanoparticles of different size, aspect ratio, and volume fraction in a three-dimensional volume of protective sheath of a given length, width, and thickness. 2D visualization and image analysis techniques were utilized to determine the area projected by the particles on the x-y plane (areal coverage provided by nanoparticles). The areal coverage values obtained from the model were found to be higher than the experimental results due to the agglomeration of nanoparticles in the sheath caused during the polymer compounding process. However, the purpose of the model is to serve as a benchmarking tool to aid in the design and development of UV protective sheaths and films, and not to estimate absolute UV protection values. Analysis of the relationship between areal coverage and various input parameters in the model show that areal coverage increases with an increase in particle volume fraction and film thickness, and a decrease in particle diameter and length. It was also found that areal coverage was more significantly influenced by particle aspect ratio than by particle length.