Aramid Nanofiber Interphase for Enhanced Interfacial Shear Strength in Ultra‐High Molecular Weight Polyethylene/Epoxy Composites

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers are used in ballistic composites due to their high tenacity; unfortunately, use structural remains limited poor adhesion with polymer matrix materials. Interphase design the fiber surface is a promising approach improve interfacial properties of composite This work describes an aramid nanofiber (ANF) dip-coating treatment plasma-treated UHMWPE that increases roughness and enhances mechanical interlocking matrix. The ANFs also populate polar functional groups, specifically hydroxyl, amide, ketone, carboxyl, allowing for chemical bonding opportunities between epoxy structure composition characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. ANF yielded up 267% increase roughness, measured atomic force microscopy. Using single pullout testing, maximum 173% shear strength interphase, while completely maintaining tensile through testing. These results demonstrate simple cost-efficient technique reinforcement.