Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fibers Research Articles

The Development and Performance of Knitted Cool Fabric Based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

In order to withstand high-temperature environments, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers with cooling properties are being increasingly used in personal thermal management textiles during the summer. However, there is relatively little research on its combination with knitting. In this paper, we combine UHMWPE fiber and knitting structure to investigate the impact of varying UHMWPE fiber content and different knitting structures on the heat and humidity comfort as well as the cooling properties of fabrics. For this purpose, five kinds of different proportions of UHMWPE and polyamide yarn preparation, as well as five kinds of knitted tissue structures based on woven tissue were designed to weave 25 knitted fabrics. The air permeability, moisture permeability, moisture absorption and humidity conduction, thermal property, and contact cool feeling property of the fabrics were tested. Then, orthogonal analysis and correlation analysis were used to statistically evaluate the properties of the fabrics statistically. The results show that as the UHMWPE content increases, the air permeability, heat conductivity, and contact cool feeling property of the fabrics improve. The moisture permeability, moisture absorption and humidity conductivity of fabrics containing UHMWPE are superior to those containing only polyamide. The air permeability, moisture permeability, and thermal conductivity of the fabrics formed by the tuck plating organization are superior to those of the flat needle plating and float wire plating organization. The fabric formed by 2 separate 2 float wire organization has the best moisture absorption, humidity conduction, contact cool feeling property.

The penetration resistance behavior and corresponding size effects of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composite laminates

Focusing on the energy absorption characteristics of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber laminated panels, this study conducts ballistic tests and numerical simulations using 6 mm spherical projectiles to impact the UHMWPE laminated panels. The residual velocity characteristics, energy absorption patterns, and failure modes of the UHMWPE laminated panels under steel ball impacts were analyzed. The results show that the residual velocity of the steel ball increases with the increase of the incident velocity. In the velocity range near the ballistic limit velocity, the residual velocity of the steel ball increases sharply. When the incident velocity exceeds 340 m/s, the increase in residual velocity gradually slows down, tending towards a straight line. When the steel ball velocity is less than 330 m/s, the energy absorption of the UHMWPE laminated panels exhibits linear growth with increasing velocity, with a maximum energy absorption of 47.3 J. In the 327–340 m/s velocity range, the energy absorption of the laminated panels drops sharply from 47 J to around 30 J. In the 340 m/s–600 m/s velocity range, the decline in energy absorption gradually becomes more moderate, decreasing to around 20 J. Beyond 500 m/s, the energy absorbed by the UHMWPE laminated panels stabilizes with increasing velocity, and the fiber tensile failure is the main form of energy absorption of UHMWPE composite laminates under ballistic impact. The failure process of UHMWPE laminated panels presents a multi-stage failure mode, including fiber shear failure, tensile failure, and delamination. As the projectile’s incident velocity increases, the damage mechanism of the UHMWPE laminated panels transitions from tensile-dominated to shear plugging-dominated. Through similarity theory analysis, under certain conditions, the ballistic limit velocity and the dimensionless parameter of unit energy absorption for the UHMWPE laminated panels satisfy geometric similarity.

Design and performance of double-layered artificial chordae.

Surgical repair with artificial chordae replacement has emerged as a standard treatment for mitral regurgitation. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) sutures are commonly employed as artificial chordae; however, they have certain limitations, such as potential long-term rupture and undesired material/tissue response. This study introduces a novel approach to artificial chordae design, termed the New Artificial Chordae (NAC), which incorporates a double-layered structure. The NAC comprises a multi-strand braided core composed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers as the inner core, and an outer tube made of hydrophobic porous ePTFE. Compared to traditional ePTFE sutures, NAC exhibits increased flexibility, enhanced tensile strength, longer elongation and improved fatigue resistance. Moreover, NAC exhibits a more hydrophobic surface, which contributes to enhanced hemocompatibility. The study also includes in vivo investigations conducted on animal models to evaluate the biocompatibility and functional efficacy of the artificial chordae. These experiments demonstrate the enhanced durability and biocompatibility of the NAC, characterized by improved mechanical strength, minimal tissue response and reduced thrombus formation. These findings suggest the potential application of NAC as a prosthetic chordae replacement, offering promising prospects to address the limitations associated with current artificial chordae materials and providing novel ideas and approaches for the development of sustainable and biocompatible regenerative biomaterials.

Bio-inspired copper ion-chelated chitosan coating modified UHMWPE fibers for enhanced interfacial properties of composites

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers are broadly applied in lightweight and high-strength composite fiber materials. However, the development of UHMWPE fibers is limited by their smooth and chemically inert surfaces. To address the issues, a modified UHMWPE fibers material has been fabricated through the chelation reaction between Cu2+ and chitosan coatings within the surface of fibers after plasma treatment, which is inspired by the hardening mechanism, a crosslinked network between metal ions and proteins/polysaccharides of the tips and edges in arthropod-specific cuticular tools. The coatings improve the surface wettability and interfacial bonding ability, which are beneficial in extending the application range of UHMWPE fibers. More importantly, compared to the unmodified UHMWPE fiber cloths, the tensile property of the modified fiber cloths is increased by 18.89% without damaging the strength, which is infrequent in modified UHMWPE fibers. Furthermore, the interlaminar shear strength and fracture toughness of the modified fibers laminate are increased by 37.72% and 135.90%, respectively. These improvements can be attributed to the synergistic effects between the surface activity and the tiny bumps of the modified UHMWPE fibers. Hence, this work provides a more straightforward and less damaging idea of fiber modification for manufacturing desirable protective and medical materials.

Effects of stearic acid on the tensile properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers

AbstractFor the purpose of the development of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers with improved tensile properties, the stearic acid (SA) was added to the gel spinning of UHMWPE and acted as a lubricant film. SA addition was intended to be 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 wt% of UHMWPE for forming the SA modified UHMWPE fibers. The tensile properties, thermal properties, crystallization properties, and orientation properties of the prepared UHMWPE fibers were systematically investigated. Results show that there is a more significant tensile property for UHMWPE fibers as SA addition is 0.6 wt%. Their tensile strength and tensile modulus reach 32.86 and 1580.89 cN/dtex, which are raised to an extent of 12.0% and 7.7%, respectively, compared with UHMWPE fibers alone. Moreover, the thermal properties, crystallization properties, and orientation properties of the prepared UHMWPE fibers are enhanced observably when the SA addition is 0.6 wt%.

UHMWPE fibers reinforced gradient structure to break the thermal-dielectric-mechanical trade-off in high filled polyethylene

In view of the diversified demands for thermal management materials in soaring developments of electrical systems, the high thermally conductive composites often suffer from their poor mechanical properties and electrical insulation. Targeting at enhancing simultaneous thermal conductivity, dielectric and mechanical properties, the fibers reinforced gradient structured polyethylene-based composites consisting of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber layer and hybrid-filled layer are proposed and successfully prepared by simple overlapping-hot pressing. The fibers collaborated with gradient arrangement of hybrid-filled layer in modulating the temperature, electric and stress field distribution. The resultant as-designed composites exhibit excellent thermal conductivity of 0.91 W/(m·K), ultrahigh tensile strength of 104.7 MPa and superior breakdown strength of 161.5 kV/mm, which are increased by 18%, 1374% and 37% than those of the homogeneous composites, respectively. This work provides a new strategy for manufacturing high-performance polymer-based composites.

Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High-Performance Polyethylene-Fiber-Reinforced Recycled-Brick-Aggregate Concrete.

The utilization of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers (UHMWPEFs) to enhance recycled-brick-aggregate concrete represents an efficacious approach for ameliorating the concrete's performance. This investigation addresses the influences of recycled-brick aggregates (RAs) and UHMWPEFs on the concrete's slump, shrinkage, flexural strength, resistance to chloride-ion ingress, and freeze-thaw durability. The mechanisms through which UHMWPEFs ameliorate the performance of the recycled-brick-aggregate concrete were elucidated at both the micro and macroscopic levels. The findings underscore that the three-dimensional network structure established by the UHMWPEFs, while resulting in a reduction in the concrete slump, substantially enhances the concrete's mechanical properties and durability. A regression model for the multifaceted performance of the UHMWPEF-reinforced recycled-brick-aggregate concrete (F-RAC) was formulated by employing response-surface methodology, and the model's reliability was confirmed through variance analysis. The interactive effects of the RA and UHMWPEFs on the concrete were analyzed through a combined approach involving response-surface analysis and contour plots. Subsequently, a multiobjective optimization was conducted for the F-RAC performance, yielding the optimal proportions of RA and UHMWPEFs. It was determined that the optimal performance across the dimensions of the shrinkage resistance, flexural strength, chloride-ion resistance, and freeze-thaw durability of the F-RAC could be simultaneously achieved when the substitution rate of the RA was 14.02% and the admixture of the UHMWPEFs was 1.13%.

Preparation and sports performance of multilayer flexible anti stabbing fabric martial arts sports composite conjugate materials.

Puncture-resistant clothing plays an important role in martial arts. This article studies the preparation process of multi-layer flexible stab-resistant fabrics, analyzes the sports properties of the fabric, and explores the potential application of stab-resistant clothing in martial arts. This article uses ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber as raw material, preprocesses it, including fiber cleaning, drying, lamination, and laminating them together through needle punching, then soaks the laminated fibers in resin, and the soaked fibers solidifies to form a specific flexible puncture-resistant fabric. This article prepares three types of layered fabrics, namely woven fabrics, nonwoven materials, and composite materials of nonwoven materials + woven fabrics + nonwoven materials, and analyzes the kinematic characteristics of the three layered fabrics. Experimental results show that when the number of layers is 4, the average breaking tensile forces of woven fabrics, nonwoven materials and composite materials are 3400, 4600 and 3860 respectively, and the average breaking elongations are 11.8%, 40.6% and 17.4% respectively. This shows that woven fabrics have the highest levels of air permeability and moisture permeability.

Effect of fiber annealing temperature on twisted and coiled UHMWPE actuator performance

Twisted and coiled polymer (TCP) actuators are flexible, wearable, and cost effective. However, the effects of annealing temperature on the properties of these devices are poorly understood. Thus, TCPs were prepared using ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers and NiCr string and characterized. High-temperature annealing caused internal crystal-phase transformation, and annealing at 130 °C yielded a coiled fiber with optimized mechanical properties. Electromechanical tests confirmed that TCPs prepared from UHMWPE fibers annealed at 130 °C exhibited the best performance. Additionally, the voltage, displacement, tensile force, and temperature variation in the TCP fibers were recorded under different driving currents and pre-load forces to determine the optimal working conditions, and 1200-cycle life-span tests were carried out for validation. Finally, the driving performance of a TCP array was explored, and the range of motion, pressure, and possibility of lifting weights were tested using a model finger. Overall, the TCP array can be used as a soft actuated dexterous hand robot.

Plasma-assisted surface functionalization of UHMWPE fiber for adhesion improvement with rubber matrix

A plasma-assisted surface modification method was introduced to enhance the interfacial adhesion of rubber composites reinforced with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers. First various reactive monomers were grafted onto the fiber surface via a plasma-assisted radical polymerization reaction. Subsequently, the grafted fibers underwent RFL (resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex) dipping process to bolster their interfacial adhesion with rubber. Compared with the original UHMWPE fibers, the modified fiber-reinforced rubber composites showed an increase in H pull-out force by 105.3 %–165.7 N and peel strength by 145.2 % to 10.3 N/mm, reaching the level of general-purpose fabric-core conveyor belt (≥4.5 N/mm). After the modification, the dynamic fatigue life and aging stability of the fiber-reinforced rubber composites were significantly improved, thereby enhancing the service life and safety of the composites. The results show that this method greatly improves the chemical activity, hydrophilicity, and surface roughness of UHMWPE fibers with minimal damage, rendering it a promising choice for industrial applications.

Improvement of UHMWPE fibers interfacial properties by aminosilane/silica synergistic modification

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber has great potential in composite materials due to its low density, high strength, high modulus, and corrosion resistance etc. However, the broad application of UHMWPE fibers has been limited due to the weak interface bonding between the fibers and matrix materials, which is primarily caused by their smooth surface and chemical inert characteristics. This study aimed to enhance the interface performance of UHMWPE fibers by co-modifying their surface through plasma treatment, aminosilane modification, and silica (SiO2) nanoparticle modification. Compared to pristine fibers, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between the modified fibers and resin increased by over 200%.

A Comprehensive Review of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fibers for Applications Based on Their Different Preparation Techniques

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber is widely recognized for its exceptional properties, including high strength-to-weight ratio, toughness, and chemical resistance, making it a preferred material for reinforcement in various applications. However, its low melting point, surface inertness, and weak adhesion to polymer matrices have limited its potential use in some fields. Researchers have addressed these shortcomings by focusing on surface modifications through physical treatment or chemical coating, thereby enhancing the versatility of materials in numerous UHMWPE fiber composites. By improving the tribological and interfacial properties of UHMWPE, various applications can be explored, including prosthetic joints, energy-absorbing road safety systems, microelectromechanical system devices, and protective materials for defense and personal thermal management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the remarkable performance of UHMWPE and its composites, providing insights into its wide array of applications.

The influence of penetration angle on anti-penetration performance and reverse penetration ricochet phenomenon of UHMWPE laminates

Penetration angle refers to the angle between the normal of laminates and the projectile trajectory. In actual battlefield conditions, projectiles may hit Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene fiber (referred to as UHMWPE) laminates from various angles, resulting in ricochet phenomena and secondary injuries. Currently, research on bullets hitting penetrating laminates at a perpendicular angle is relatively well-developed, while research on the penetration of laminates by bullets at other angles is limited. Therefore, this study combined experiments and numerical calculations to investigate the penetration of 7.62 mm steel core projectiles at different angles on UHMWPE laminates. The study found that UHMWPE laminates enhanced bullet resistance through yawing and bending the penetrating projectiles at different angles. The influence of penetration angle on the impact area of the projectile-facing surface, the height of the bulge on the backside, and the penetration depth, as well as the trajectory and morphology of the projectile, were mastered in this study. Notably, a penetration angle of 50° was the limit condition for projectile to produce reverse penetration ricochet phenomenon of projectiles in UHMWPE laminates with a thickness of 30 mm. These research findings provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the bulletproof design of UHMWPE laminates.

Study on the freeze–thaw cycles and carbonization of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composite for link slab

To explore the mechanical properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composite (UHMWPE-ECC) used as link slabs in Northeast and South China, experimental schemes of freeze–thaw cycles and carbonation were designed based on the service life of link slabs replacement expansion joints. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the microscopic morphology of UHMWPE-ECC after undergoing freeze–thaw cycles and carbonization. The carbonization front of UHMWPE-ECC was determined by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Results indicate that freeze–thaw cycles cause minor surface damage, gradual mass loss, and a decrease in the relative dynamic elastic modulus. Furthermore, the compressive strength of the simulated link slabs is reduced by 9.8%, the tensile strain is reduced by 24.5%, and the ultimate load of three-point bending is reduced by 35.4% after 15 years of service in the Northeast. After 15 years of service in the Southern region, the compressive strength increased by 24.2%, the tensile strain increased by 45.1%, and the ultimate load of three-point bending increased by 61.4%. SEM reveals that carbonization roughens the fibers surface, enhancing bonding between the fiber and cement matrix. Additionally, freeze–thaw cycles cause cracks of less than 1 µm to appear in the matrix, which loosens the matrix and weakens the adhesion between the fiber and cement matrix. The carbonization fronts of link slabs in Southern China for 5, 10, and 15 years were 3–4 mm, 5–6 mm, and 6–7 mm. The tensile strain of UHMWPE-ECC after 15 years of service in the Northeast and Southern regions is 3.38 and 6.29 times what is required for the link slab in that region, and the compressive strengths all meet the requirements of the Chinese Bridge Code.

Blast Fragment Impact of Angle-Ply Composite Structures for Buildings Wall Protection

This paper investigates the fragment performance of several composite panels for attaching to the inside walls of a building structure. These panels were developed using different types of fiber woven fabrics (W0, W90) combined with distinct layers orientations (angle-ply effect) of L0/0 and L0/15. Aramid, E-glass, and S-glass fiber fabrics impregnated with thermosetting epoxy resin, and a prepreg of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HB24) were employed. The panels are subjected to ballistic impact using different fragments under impact velocities in the range of 120 to 420 m/s. In order to measure the energy absorbed by the ballistic panels, the impact velocity and the residual velocity of the fragment were measured with laser chronographs placed before and after the laminated test specimens. The paper demonstrates quantitatively that the angle-ply laminates produced using L0/15 woven fabric orientation presented a higher impact energy absorption, promoting higher reductions on the fragment residual velocity compared to the L0/0 orientations. The laminates produced using UHMWPE fibers (HB24) presented better ballistic properties compared to the other fibers. Furthermore, it was noted that the energy dissipation rate is linearly correlated with the impact velocity and is independent of the fragment geometry.

Strain hardening geopolymer composites with hybrid POM and UHMWPE fibers: Analysis of static mechanical properties, economic benefits, and environmental impact

With unique ultra-high toughness, strain-hardening cementitious composite (SHCC) has attracted considerable attention. However, environmental and economic concerns have hindered its engineering application due to the high consumption of Portland cement and expensive high-performance fibers. To address this issue, geopolymer concrete and polyoxymethylene (POM) fibers are adopted to replace Portland cement and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, respectively, to prepare strain-hardening geopolymer composite with hybrid POM and UHMWPE fibers (POM/PE-SHGC). Static mechanical properties, economic benefits, and environmental impact of POM/PE-SHGC with different POM fiber replacement ratios are investigated. Axial compression and tensile tests on POM/PE-SHGC with different POM fiber replacement ratios (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) are conducted to investigate the effect of different POM fiber replacement ratios on the static failure mode, tensile crack development, compression behavior, and strain-hardening behavior of POM/PE-SHGC. In addition, Carbon emissions and energy consumption of POM/PE-SHGC were estimated and compared with SHCC. An evaluation method that comprehensively considers environmental and economic benefits and mechanical properties is proposed. The results indicated that under the condition of a total fiber volume fraction of 2%, POM/PE-SHGC with a POM fiber replacement ratios under 75% exhibited good strain-hardening behavior. The compressive strength, ultimate compressive strain, and ultimate tensile strain of POM/PE-SHGC reached a maximum at a POM replacement ratios of 50%, except for a decrease in its tensile strength. Furthermore, the cost, carbon emissions and energy consumption of POM/PE-SHGC was significantly lower than that of SHCC. This study verified the feasibility of producing green, high-performance SHGC and promoted the engineering application of this material.

Hierarchical thermal-conductive polymer nanocomposites for thermal management

Managing heat in electrical conductors is a major challenge to meet the demands for sustainable energy use and electrical reliability, most notably power electronics and energy-critical electrical machines. Achieving such disparate functionalities, such as high temperature thermal and electrical reliability, require rational design and manufacturing of thermal conductor material and its hierarchical structures. Here we present hierarchical thermal-conductive nanocomposites, consisting of nanostructured ceramic conformal coating and aligned ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber, to tailor heat dissipation in electric conductors. The hybrid aligned thermal interface exhibits a highly desirable temperature dependent anisotropic high thermal conductivity with 0.98 W m−1K−1 and dielectric strength with 3.4. In addition, electrically insulating thermal interfaces demonstrate high-performing and reliable electrical systems under the dynamic load conditions. The surface temperature of heterogeneous ceramic-polymer encapsulated conductor is 17.8 °C lower than that of polymer-encapsulated conductor at the same electrical load. The findings shown here hold great promises for directing heat extraction in electrical machine systems, advancing thermal management for emerging electronic applications.

Excellent interfacial bonding in UHMWPE fiber/ epoxy resin composites fabricated via a swelling approach

Excellent interfacial bonding in UHMWPE fiber/ epoxy resin composites fabricated via a swelling approach

Low velocity impact failure mechanisms of carbon/UHMWPE 2.5D woven hybrid composites via experimental and numerical methods

This paper investigates the failure mechanisms of carbon/UHMWPE 2.5D woven hybrid composites under single and repeated low velocity impacts. Two types of specimens, carbon 2.5D woven composites (C-2.5DWC) and carbon/UHMWPE 2.5D woven hybrid composites (H-2.5DWC), were subjected to single and repeated impacts at 15 J/mm and 5 J/mm respectively. X-ray micro-computed tomography was employed to discuss the damage distribution. A meso-macro combination finite element model was proposed to analyze the failure mechanisms. The results demonstrated that, when compared to C-2.5DWC, H-2.5DWC has higher specific energy absorption and distinct toughness characteristic under 15 J/mm single impact, and exhibits a more dispersed damage distribution that primarily extends along the weft direction as the number of 5 J/mm repeated impacts increases, resulting improved damage tolerance. The simulation results agreed well with experimental data, and the synergistic effect of carbon and UHMWPE fibers allows uniform propagation of the impact stress within hybrid composites.

Insight into the wear properties of fiber fabric surface-enhanced composite under water lubrication

Water-lubricated bearings are subject to abrasive wear, leading to performance degradation. Herein, the use of PTFE and UHMWPE fibers was investigated to improve surface tensile strength and explore wear mechanisms. Through finite element analysis and friction and wear experiments, it is hereby demonstrated that fiber reinforcement significantly improves surface tensile strength and reduces surface wear compared to non-reinforced materials, and the wear of the bronze plates is reduced as well. Meanwhile, fiber-reinforced composite materials suppress the development of wear in a certain amount of time and exhibit outstanding frictional performance.