Modified fibers for polymer composites with improved mechanical properties

Abstract In this paper, a new composite material, AEG, which was developed in our laboratory by catalytic grafting polymerization of ethylene on asbestos fibers, was used to improve the properties of asbestos/HDPE composites. Tensile testing shows that the AEG modified asbestos/HDPE composites exhibit significantly higher tensile strength and elongation at break than the unmodified ones. Instrumented impact testing permits a detailed understanding of the modifying effect of AEG on impact properties. The records acquired during impact for the unmodified composites were truncated at the onset of initial fracture, showing a typical brittle cleavage fracture. In contrast, the records for the AEG modified composites showed an effective post‐initial fracture behavior. The load at peak, the energy required to initiate and propagate the fracture, and the deformation during impact increase dramatically for the AEG modified composites. SEM micrographs of the fractured surfaces also demonstrate the difference in the morphology of the two composites.