Edison E. Haro and Akindele G. Odeshi and Jerzy A. Szpunar
Reinforcing Effects of Natural MicroParticles on the Dynamic Impact Behaviour of Hybrid BioComposites Made of Short Kevlar Fibers Reinforced Thermoplastic Composite Armor
359 - 369
2019
13
7
International Journal of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
https://publications.waset.org/pdf/10010580
https://publications.waset.org/vol/151
World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
Hybrid biocomposites are developed for use in protective armor through positive hybridization offered by reinforcement of highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) with Kevlar short fibers and palm wood microfillers. The manufacturing process involved a combination of extrusion and compression molding techniques. The mechanical behavior of Kevlar fiber reinforced HDPE with and without palm wood filler additions are compared. The effect of the weight fraction of the added palm wood microfillers is also determined. The Young modulus was found to increase as the weight fraction of organic microparticles increased. However, the flexural strength decreased with increasing weight fraction of added microfillers. The interfacial interactions between the components were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The influence of the size, random alignment and distribution of the natural microparticles was evaluated. Ballistic impact and dynamic shock loading tests were performed to determine the optimum proportion of Kevlar short fibers and organic microfillers needed to improve impact strength of the HDPE. These results indicate a positive hybridization by deposition of organic microfillers on the surface of short Kevlar fibers used in reinforcing the thermoplastic matrix leading to enhancement of the mechanical strength and dynamic impact behavior of these materials. Therefore, these hybrid biocomposites can be promising materials for different applications against high velocity impacts.
Open Science Index 151, 2019