High-performance fibers with anisotropic, fibrillated morphologies and either ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene or para-aramid chemistries were tested using a novel multi-axial strain-inducing filament-bending apparatus allowing for in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations of single filament morphology changes during simultaneous tension and compression events. The quasi-static multi-axial test allows discovery of the mechanisms directly pertaining to strength and failure behavior during various dynamic events that ballistic fibers may encounter. By also comparing pre-strain interior morphologies using AFM-modulus mapping with post-mortem multi-axially failed filaments using AFM and scanning electron microscopy, conclusions can be made regarding the mechanisms of failure during the multi-axial event and the direct role of the inherent morphologies in contributing to the tensile and transverse strength of the filaments. Thus comparisons can be made between single fibers having varied chemistry or processing history impacting the development of high-performance fibers possessing higher strength.

<i>In situ</i> morphology observations of single high-performance fibers with novel multi-axial strain approach

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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In situ morphology observations of single high-performance fibers with novel multi-axial strain approach