Effects of Thermal Aging on Molar Mass of Ultra-High Molar Mass Polyethylene Fibers.

ABSTRACT: Ultra-high molar mass polyethylene (UHMMPE) is commonly used for ballistic-resistant body armor applications due to the superior strength of the fibers fabricated from this material combined with its low density. However, polymeric materials are susceptible to thermally induced degradation during storage and use, which can reduce the high strength of these fibers, and, thus, negatively impact their ballistic resistance. The objective of this work is to advance the field of lightweight and soft UHMMPE inserts used in various types of ballistic resistant-body armor via elucidating the mechanisms of chemical degradation and evaluating this chemical degradation, as well as the corresponding physical changes, of the UHMMPE fibers upon thermal aging. This is the first comprehensive study on ther

SUBMITTER: Tsinas Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9002805 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature