A study on the tensile properties of UHMWPE fiber weft-knitted structural composites

This work presents a study of liquid oxidation modification effects on the tensile properties of UHMWPE fibers and UHMWPE fiber/epoxy composites. Three types of basic knitted structural composites were produced with 4, 6, and 8 layers. The shop-vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process was used to laminate the composite. The tensile properties of the composite laminates were evaluated using a universal strength testing machine, and the tensile damage of the materials was analyzed. The results show that for the same number of layers of laminates, the tensile strength of the weft jersey structure was the highest, followed by those of the rib and cardigan structures. The tensile strength increased with the number of layers and increased with a nonlinear positive correlation. After modification, the stretching process did not result in yarn being pulled from the resin. The adhesion to the fabric and the resin increased, and the shear strength of the composite increased between the layers.