Effect of Plasma and Fiber Position on Flexural Properties of a Polyethylene Fiber-Reinforced Composite.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of plasma treatment using argon and oxygen gases, combined with fiber position on flexural properties of a fiber-reinforced composite. Eleven groups were evaluated, a non-reinforced control group and 10 groups reinforced with InFibra, a woven polyethylene fiber, varying according to the plasma treatment and fiber position. The samples were prepared using a stainless steel two-piece matrix. The three point bending test was performed in an EMIC testing machine. Flexural strength (FS) and flexural deflection (FD) were calculated from initial (IF) and final (FF) failure. Data were evaluated statistically using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05). For IF, in all groups with fibers placed on the base, the FS and FD values were significantly higher than those positioned away from the base. The highest value of FS was obtained in the group treated with O 3 min (296.2 MPa) and the highest value of FD was obtained in the group treated with 1 min (0.109 mm). For FF the FS and FD values obtained for the groups with fibers positioned away from the base were similar or higher than those placed on the base. The highest FS value was obtained in the group treated with 1 min (317.5 MPa) and the highest FD value was obtained in the group treated with O 3 min (0.177 mm). Plasma treatment influenced FS and FD. Fiber position and plasma treatment affected the flexural properties of a fiber-reinforced composite.

Effect of Plasma and Fiber Position on Flexural Properties of a Polyethylene Fiber-Reinforced Composite

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of plasma treatment using argon and oxygen gases, combined with fiber position on flexural properties of a fiber-reinforced composite. Eleven groups were evaluated, a non-reinforced control group and 10 groups reinforced with InFibra, a woven polyethylene fiber, varying according to the plasma treatment and fiber position. The samples were prepared using a stainless steel two-piece matrix. The three point bending test was performed in an EMIC testing machine. Flexural strength (FS) and flexural deflection (FD) were calculated from initial (IF) and final (FF) failure. Data were evaluated statistically using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05). For IF, in all groups with fibers placed on the base, the FS and FD values were significantly higher than those positioned away from the base. The highest value of FS was obtained in the group treated with O 3 min (296.2 MPa) and the highest value of FD was obtained in the group treated with 1 min (0.109 mm). For FF the FS and FD values obtained for the groups with fibers positioned away from the base were similar or higher than those placed on the base. The highest FS value was obtained in the group treated with 1 min (317.5 MPa) and the highest FD value was obtained in the group treated with O 3 min (0.177 mm). Plasma treatment influenced FS and FD. Fiber position and plasma treatment affected the flexural properties of a fiber-reinforced composite.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento de plasma, utilizando os gases argônio e oxigênio, associado à posição da fibra, nas propriedades mecânicas de um compósito reforçado por fibra. Onze grupos foram avaliados, um grupo controle, sem reforço, e 10 grupos reforçados com Infibra, variando de acordo com o tratamento de plasma e a posição das fibra. As amostras foram preparadas utilizando uma matriz bipartida de aço inoxidável. O teste de flexão de três pontos foi realizado em uma máquina de ensaios EMIC. A resistência à flexão (FS) e deflexão (FD) foram calculados em relação à falha inicial (IF) e final (FF). Os dados foram avaliados estatisticamente pelos testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis (p<0,05). Para IF, nas fibras posicionadas na base, os valores de FS e FD foram significativamente maiores do que quando as fibras foram afastadas da base em todos os grupos. O maior valor de FS foi obtido no grupo tratado com O 3 min (296,2 MPa) e o maior valor de FD foi obtido no grupo tratado com O 1 min (0,109 mm). Para FF, os valores de FS e FD para os grupos com fibras afastadas da base foram semelhantes ou superiores aos daqueles com fibras na base. O maior valor de FS foi obtido no grupo tratado com O 1 min (317,5 MPa) e o maior valor de FD foi obtido no grupo tratado com O 3 min (0,177 mm). O tratamento de plasma influenciou o FS e o FD. A posição de fibras, assim como o tratamento de plasma, afetaram as propriedades de flexão de um compósito reforçado com fibra.