Effect of thermo-oxidative ageing on changes of physical-mechanical parameters of aramid and UHMWPE laminates

Abstract

This work is focused on monitoring of the effect of thermo-oxidative ageing of laminates on their physical-mechanical parameters, such as tensile strength, tensile modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, flexural modulus of elasticity and hardness. Changes of mentioned parameters were observed on two types of laminates based on aramid and two types based on UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene). The laminates were exposed to the accelerated thermo-oxidative ageing under higher temperature in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. The aim of the work was to find the physical-mechanical parameter with the greatest changes caused by thermo-oxidative ageing. This parameter was consequently chosen for the prediction of laminates lifetime. From the obtained results, it can be seen that aramid laminates show a significantly higher temperature resistance compared to UHWPE-based laminates.