Mechanical properties of interlayer hybrid textile composite materials based on modified aramid and UHMWPE fabrics

Aramid fibers and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers lack active surface functional groups, and the surface is smooth, limiting their practical application in textile composite materials. In this study, zinc oxide nanorods were used to grow on aramid fibers surfaces, and oxygen plasma followed by treatment with a silane coupling agent was used to modify UHMWPE fibers. The effects of surface modification on the surface morphology and composition, and mechanical properties of fibers and composites were investigated. The mechanical response of interlayer hybrid textile composite materials based on modified aramid and UHMWPE fabrics was examined. The results reveal that surface roughness, active surface functional groups, and wettability that can be controlled by treatment conditions and parameters are important for improving interface adhesion. In addition, the interlayer hybridization pattern as a result of using dissimilar layer materials and altering stacking sequence has a great impact on the mechanical behavior of hybrid textile composite materials.

Automated summary

Aramid fibers and UHMWPE fibers were modified by growing zinc oxide nanorods on the aramid fiber surface and treating UHMWPE fibers with oxygen plasma and a silane coupling agent. The study investigated the effects of surface modification on the morphology, composition, and mechanical properties of the fibers and composites. The results showed that surface roughness, active surface functional groups, and wettability were crucial for improving interface adhesion, and the interlayer hybridization pattern had a significant impact on the mechanical behavior of the hybrid textile composites.