Multi-parametric investigation on the properties of powder-coated UHMWPE /LDPE towpreg manufactured through wet-electrostatic technique

Abstract

The present work offers a novel technique (i.e., wet-electrostatic powder coating) to produce flexible non-conductive UHMWPE/LDPE towpreg to ease the weaving process for complex preform structures. Electrostatic powder coating is done onto non-conductive twistless UHMWPE tow unconventionally by introducing a surface modifier. The towpreg based composite imparts excellent interfacial property due to the pre-mingling of LDPE powder to UHMWPE tow. The single polymer towpreg gives high adhesiveness leading to improved interface bonding due to similar polymer classes. Box-Behnken response surface methodology is used to optimize the processing variables such as processing temperature (A), conveying air pressure (B), and gun nozzle angle (C) for output responses such as Bending rigidity (Br) and the Yarn tenacity (Yt) of the flexible towpreg. The multi-parametric equations have been obtained for the output responses Br and Yt separately which are in good agreement with the experimental results.