Improved inter-yarn friction and ballistic impact performance of zinc oxide nanowire coated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)

POLYMER

卷:231

Article

Steinke, Kelsey¹  Sodano, Henry A.^1,2,3 

[1] Univ Michigan, Dept Mat Sci & Engn, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA

[2] Univ Michigan, Dept Aerosp Engn, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA

[3] Univ Michigan, Dept Macromol Sci & Engn, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA

关键词: Inter-yarn friction;    Yarn pullout;    Impact response;    Ballistic;    Energy absorption;    Zinc oxide nanowires;    Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE);   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.polymer.2021.124125

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) woven fabrics have been shown to possess a high strengthto-weight ratio, low density, high-energy absorption, and abrasion-resistant properties. When subjected to dynamic impact, the primary failure mode of UHMWPE woven fabric is yarn pullout, which results from poor interyarn friction between the weft and warp yarns. This work investigates the potential use of zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs), which are grown on plasma functionalized UHMWPE woven fabric, to improve the inter-yarn friction, energy absorption, and impact response of the fabric. Yarn pullout testing is used to evaluate the inter-yarn friction of ZnO NW coated UHMWPE fabric that was treated with oxygen plasma for 30 s. This testing demonstrates a 663.5% increase in friction, while the pullout energy increased by 822.9%, relative to neat UHMWPE fabric. The improved inter-yarn friction results in a 59.13% higher V50 ballistic limit, while the energy absorbed during impact increased by 227%, relative to neat fabric. This work demonstrates a new approach to yield-improved ballistic performance of woven UHMWPE fabrics, which can further the fabric's utilization in the creation of soft body armor.

【 授权许可】

Free