Preparation and properties of modified epoxy resin for UHMWPE fiber/carbon fiber composite

The matrix resin of UHMWPE fibers/carbon fibers composites was prepared by modified epoxy resin E-51 with methyl acrylic acid(MA).The effects of reaction time and catalyst amount on properties of modified epoxy resin and composites were investigated.The results showed that the modified epoxy resin and its UHMWPE/carbon fibers reinforced composite displayed excellent properties when molar ratio of MA and epoxy group is 1.1∶1.0 and the modification reaction was carried out at 110℃ for 7h using 35wt% diethylaniline as catalyst.The structure and properties of the modified epoxy resin and composite were characterized by FT-IR,dynamic mechanical analysis(DMA) and SEM.The research show modified epoxy resin has stronger adhesive force for UHMWPE and carbon fiber.The thermal and mechanical properties have improved obviously through using the modified epoxy resin as matrix of UHMWPE fiber/carbon fiber composite.