Study on Mechanical Properties of UHMWPE/PET Composites Using Robust Design

The effect of different processing variables on the mechanical properties of UHMWPE/PET composites has been investigated using robust design (Taguchi method). Among the different processing variables, the fibre weight fraction had the greatest effect on the results. PET fibres have been used to improve abrasive wear behaviour of UHMWPE matrix. Reduction of PET fibres to an optimum level (5 % wt) and surface modification of UHMWPE powders were two methodologies to reach optimum mechanical properties. The surface modification of UHMWPE powder was performed using chromic acid etching. For surface characterization of UHMWPE powders the X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS) was used. The chromic acid etching causes surface chemical oxidation in the samples so the oxygen to carbon (O/C) atomic ratio increased from 0.2% in unmodified UHMWPE powder to 4.94% in modified one. The results indicate that the reduction of fibre weight fraction to 5% and surface modification of powder improve themechanical properties of UHMWPE/PET composites.