Study of the off-axis properties of composites reinforced with ultra high modulus polyethylene fibres

Abstract

Treated ultra-high-modulus polyethylene (UHMPE) fibres were used as reinforcement for epoxy resin and the obtained composites were evaluated. Corona and chromate surface-treated fibres, as well as calendered fibres were tested in terms of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile and pull-out testing. Mechanical tests have also been performed with unidirectional specimens reinforced with the above fibres, focusing on those properties that are dependent on the off-axis properties of the composite, such as flexural and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests were also run. The results showed that corona and chromate treated fibres give the highest adhesive bonding, whereas their tensile strength is reduced. This is further observed with the flexural tests where maximum strength corresponds to these two types of fibres for various filler volume fractions. Finally, the data derived from ILLS and DMA suggest a slight advantage for the corona treated fibres.