Enhanced surface free energy of UHMWPE fibers and its interfacial adhesion behavior to PI resins

摘要

> Mechanical properties of composites made up of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, polyimide (PI), and TiO ₂ particles were investigated. The hybrid composite of 20?vol% of UHMWPE fiber with TiO ₂ showed tensile strength greater than UHMWPE fiber/PI composite. A positive hybrid effect in tensile strength is obtained. It is observed that addition of small amount of TiO ₂ to UHMWPE fiber/PI increased the tensile strength of the composite by 28%. With increase in TiO ₂ loading to 1 to 3?vol%, the impact strength of the hybrid composite is increased from 55?KJ/m 2 to 69?KJ/m 2 . This maximum value is more than one and a half times greater than the impact strength of neat UHMWPE fiber/PI composite.