Manufacturing of Single-Polymer Composite Materials Based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fibers by Hot Compaction

Abstract

This paper describes the manufacturing process and properties of single-polymer composites based on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers produced by hot compaction. The hot compaction results in partial surface melting of the initial fibers, and melted part after cooling forms a matrix of the self-reinforced composites. Using high pressure during hot compaction allows to increase the fibers’ melting point and allows to avoid relaxation processes. Moreover, the fiber-to-matrix ratio may be changed using this approach by varying pressure and temperature. The flexural test was carried out to determine the mechanical properties. Samples obtained at 160 °C and 50 MPa have optimum properties (flexural strength and Young’s modulus were equal to 116.5 MPa and 15.3 GPa, respectively). It was found that mechanical properties of the obtained composites depend on both matrix amount and preservation of oriented fibers structure. The small amount of melted fibers does not allow to form matrix for load transferring. But the excessive melting of the fibers can result in a significant decrease in the fibers’ mechanical properties.