Microbond multiple fiber pull-out test to evaluate interface properties of UHMWPE/LDPE self-reinforced polymer composites

Abstract

Interfacial properties of composite materials play an important role in overall efficiency and reliability of these materials in structural applications. The objective of this study is to develop a multiple fiber microbond pull-out test to determine the interfacial properties of self-reinforced polymer composites (SRPC) and compare it with single fiber multiple fiber pull-out tests. SRPC possess better interfacial adhesion due to their similarity in chemical structure. The system used in this study is LDPE sheet reinforced with plain weave ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (LDPE/ UHMWPE). The optimal operating temperature was estimated with DSC and TGA analysis. The micromechanical and meso-mechanical approaches were compared to validate the results. A fractographic study was performed to correlate lamina and meso-mechanical properties found in this study. It was observed that the multiple fiber pullout test explained in this study is on par with or better than the other conventional methods to evaluate interface properties.