The effects of chromic acid treatment on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber were investigated. The UHMWPE fibers/natural rubber composites were prepared with untreated and chromic acid-treated UHMWPE fibers. The breaking strength and the hardness of the chromic acid-treated UHMWPE fibers/natural rubber composites were increased by 49% and 96% when compared with natural rubber. The chromic acid treatment increased the roughness of the UHMWPE fibers and introduced oxygen-containing functional groups on the fiber surface, thus improving the interfacial adhesion in UHMWPE fibers/natural rubber composites through the mechanical interlocking and chemical bonding.

Surface treatment of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber enhances the mechanical properties of its composite with natural rubber

248th National Meeting (2014)

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