MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES AND FAILURE OF ETCHED UHMW PE FIBERS

The structural hierarchy of fibrillar ultra-high molecular weight poly ethylene (UHMW-PE) fibres is investigated and related to fibre mechani cal properties. Chemical etching has been used to change the surface p roperties of these UHMW-PE fibres through the removal of a skin layer and UHMW-PE oxidation. The physical and chemical changes to the fibre surface introduced by etching affect single-fibre mechanical propertie s. The effects of etchant and etching time on failure properties and m echanisms is discussed. The decrease in failure strain and strength wi th etching is associated with the change from an energy-absorbing fibr il delamination failure to brittle fracture.