Grafting of multifunctional groups onto the surface of high‐strength polyethylene fibers and the interface of their composites

Abstract

High-strength polyethylene (HSPE) fibers were oxidated via chemical reactions in an acidic medium, and the carboxyl group was transferred into the acyl chloride and then reacted with pentaerythritol or diethylene triamine to graft the multifunctional group compounds onto the surface of the HSPE fibers. Subtractive Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the methylene blue absorbing method were used to study the functional groups on the surface of the modified fibers and their content. The results show that the polar functional groups, including OCOOH, OOH, and ONH 2 , were introduced onto the surface of the HSPE fibers, and the polar groups improved the wettability. The interface shear stress (IFSS) of the composites that were made from modified fibers and epoxy was measured by means of the microdebond method. The results show that the IFSS was greatly increased by the grafting of pentaerythritol or diethylene triamine onto the HSPE fiber surface.

Surface amine‐functionalization of UHMWPE fiber by bio‐inspired polydopamine and grafted hexamethylene diamine

“…Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, one kind of fiber with high performance, possess outstanding properties such as high strength, stiffness, lightness, and extremely low embrittlement temperatures . As one of the ideal reinforcements in various high performance composites, UHMWPE fibers are widely used in aerospace, bulletproof vests, recreational equipment material applications, and so on . However, the application of UHMWPE fibers is limited by the poor adhesion with polymer matrixes because of its smooth and chemically inert surface.…”