Preparation and properties of three-dimensional braided UHMWPE fiber reinforced PMMA composites

In this study, three-dimensional (3-D) braided UHMWPE fiber reinforced PMMA resin (UHMWPE3D/PMMA) composites are prepared by the vacuum impregnation technique. Research has been carried out to determine the mechanical properties and investigate the effects of fiber surface treatment and fiber volume fraction on the mechanical properties of the composites. The results show that the UHMWPE3D/PMMA composites possess excellent impact strength. XPS analysis reveals that oxygen-containing functional groups on the fiber surface increase after fiber surface treatment. It is found that enhanced interface adhesion results in substantial improvement of the flexural and shear properties, but a reduction in the impact strength. The flexural strength and modulus and the longitudinal shear strength increase markedly with increasing fiber volume fraction, attain maximum values at a V-f of 38%, but then decrease. The transverse shear strength exhibits continuous increase with V-f.