Prediction of Elastic Properties Using Micromechanics of Polypropylene Composites Mixed with Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Fibers

Abstract

In this study, we calculated the elastic properties of polypropylene composites mixed with ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers. We applied micromechanics models that use numerical analysis, conducted finite element analysis using the homogenization method, and comparatively analyzed the characteristics of polypropylene (PP) containing UHMWPE fibers as reinforcement. The results demonstrate that elastic properties improved as the volume fraction of UHMWPE fiber increased. It was confirmed that the fibers had anisotropic elastic properties due to the shape of the fibers. In addition, it is necessary to compare these findings with future experimental results to obtain data for developing UHMWPE–PP composites.

Keywords

• UHMWPE
• polypropylene
• composite
• homogenization
• micromechanics