Parameters Optimization for Manufacturing Advanced Self-Reinforced Composites based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

In this study, the relationships between processing, structure and properties of self-reinforced ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites fabricated via thermal pressing are investigated. By systematically varying processing temperatures (145, 155, 165, 170, 175,180 °C) and pres...

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Main Authors: Eugene Statnik, Dmitry D. Zherebtsov, Dilus I. Chukov, Ilya I. Larin, Alnis A. Veveris, Valerii G. Torokhov, Alexander S. Kechekyan, Kristina Z. Myagkova, Iuliia A. Sadykova, Alexey I. Salimon, Alexander M. Korsunsky, Semen D. Ignatyev, Kamal M. Hammad, Sergey D. Kaloshkin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Gruppo Italiano Frattura 2025-08-01
Series:Fracture and Structural Integrity
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Online Access:https://fracturae.com/index.php/fis/article/view/5503
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author Eugene Statnik
Dmitry D. Zherebtsov
Dilus I. Chukov
Ilya I. Larin
Alnis A. Veveris
Valerii G. Torokhov
Alexander S. Kechekyan
Kristina Z. Myagkova
Iuliia A. Sadykova
Alexey I. Salimon
Alexander M. Korsunsky
Semen D. Ignatyev
Kamal M. Hammad
Sergey D. Kaloshkin
author_facet Eugene Statnik
Dmitry D. Zherebtsov
Dilus I. Chukov
Ilya I. Larin
Alnis A. Veveris
Valerii G. Torokhov
Alexander S. Kechekyan
Kristina Z. Myagkova
Iuliia A. Sadykova
Alexey I. Salimon
Alexander M. Korsunsky
Semen D. Ignatyev
Kamal M. Hammad
Sergey D. Kaloshkin
author_sort Eugene Statnik
collection DOAJ
description In this study, the relationships between processing, structure and properties of self-reinforced ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites fabricated via thermal pressing are investigated. By systematically varying processing temperatures (145, 155, 165, 170, 175,180 °C) and pressures (25 and 50 MPa), we demonstrate that mechanical performance is governed by the interplay between fiber consolidation and the preservation of the oriented crystalline phase. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the presence of residual voids that are independent of the processing parameters, and which lead to interfacial failure and fibrillar fracture morphologies. We identify a critical processing threshold at 165 °C (25 MPa), which yields peak interlayer shear strength (7.8–11.1 MPa), bending strength (102–130 MPa), elastic modulus (23–42 GPa), and Charpy impact resistance (72–95 kJ/m²). Beyond this threshold, however, mechanical performance deteriorates due to fiber remelting and loss of anisotropy, resulting in the composite transitioning to an isotropic UHMWPE matrix. Conversely, elevated pressures fail to improve properties due to insufficient macromolecular interdiffusion, which is the dominant bonding mechanism. These findings establish a processing-structure-property framework for UHMWPE-based self-reinforced composites that balances interfacial adhesion and crystalline alignment, while providing actionable guidelines for engineering high-performance single-polymer materials.
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spelling doaj-art-bcd66721a73e4f4ebb7ce11868dcb48c2025-08-26T06:52:14ZengGruppo Italiano FratturaFracture and Structural Integrity1971-89932025-08-01197410.3221/IGF-ESIS.74.10Parameters Optimization for Manufacturing Advanced Self-Reinforced Composites based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight PolyethyleneEugene Statnik0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1105-9206Dmitry D. Zherebtsov1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5134-475XDilus I. Chukov2Ilya I. Larin3Alnis A. Veverishttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7497-1112Valerii G. Torokhov4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0811-3731Alexander S. Kechekyan5Kristina Z. Myagkova6Iuliia A. Sadykova7Alexey I. Salimon8https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9048-8083Alexander M. Korsunsky9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3558-5198Semen D. Ignatyev10https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7415-5513Kamal M. Hammad11https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6051-5222Sergey D. Kaloshkin12Center for Digital Engineering, Skoltech, Russia, CASM&T, MAI, Russia Laboratory of Accelerated Particles <<LUCh>>, NUST MISIS, RussiaCenter for Composite Materials, NUST MISIS, RussiaCenter for Composite Materials, NUST MISIS, RussiaCenter for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, RussiaCenter for Composite Materials, NUST MISIS, RussiaN.S. Enikolopov Institute of Synthetic Polymer Materials, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RussiaN.S. Enikolopov Institute of Synthetic Polymer Materials, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RussiaCenter for Digital Engineering, Skoltech, Russia, CASM&T, MAI, RussiaCenter for Digital Engineering, Skoltech, Russia, CASM&T, MAI, RussiaCenter for Digital Engineering, Skoltech, Russia, CASM&T, MAI, RussiaFBES FSCH named after F.F. Erisman of the Rospotrebnadzor, Mytishchi, RussiaCenter for Digital Engineering, Skoltech, RussiaCenter for Composite Materials, NUST MISIS, Russia In this study, the relationships between processing, structure and properties of self-reinforced ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites fabricated via thermal pressing are investigated. By systematically varying processing temperatures (145, 155, 165, 170, 175,180 °C) and pressures (25 and 50 MPa), we demonstrate that mechanical performance is governed by the interplay between fiber consolidation and the preservation of the oriented crystalline phase. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the presence of residual voids that are independent of the processing parameters, and which lead to interfacial failure and fibrillar fracture morphologies. We identify a critical processing threshold at 165 °C (25 MPa), which yields peak interlayer shear strength (7.8–11.1 MPa), bending strength (102–130 MPa), elastic modulus (23–42 GPa), and Charpy impact resistance (72–95 kJ/m²). Beyond this threshold, however, mechanical performance deteriorates due to fiber remelting and loss of anisotropy, resulting in the composite transitioning to an isotropic UHMWPE matrix. Conversely, elevated pressures fail to improve properties due to insufficient macromolecular interdiffusion, which is the dominant bonding mechanism. These findings establish a processing-structure-property framework for UHMWPE-based self-reinforced composites that balances interfacial adhesion and crystalline alignment, while providing actionable guidelines for engineering high-performance single-polymer materials. https://fracturae.com/index.php/fis/article/view/5503Self-reinforced composite (SRC)Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)interlayer shear testCharpy impact testbending
spellingShingle Eugene Statnik
Dmitry D. Zherebtsov
Dilus I. Chukov
Ilya I. Larin
Alnis A. Veveris
Valerii G. Torokhov
Alexander S. Kechekyan
Kristina Z. Myagkova
Iuliia A. Sadykova
Alexey I. Salimon
Alexander M. Korsunsky
Semen D. Ignatyev
Kamal M. Hammad
Sergey D. Kaloshkin
Parameters Optimization for Manufacturing Advanced Self-Reinforced Composites based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
Fracture and Structural Integrity
Self-reinforced composite (SRC)
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
interlayer shear test
Charpy impact test
bending
title Parameters Optimization for Manufacturing Advanced Self-Reinforced Composites based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
title_full Parameters Optimization for Manufacturing Advanced Self-Reinforced Composites based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
title_fullStr Parameters Optimization for Manufacturing Advanced Self-Reinforced Composites based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
title_full_unstemmed Parameters Optimization for Manufacturing Advanced Self-Reinforced Composites based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
title_short Parameters Optimization for Manufacturing Advanced Self-Reinforced Composites based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
title_sort parameters optimization for manufacturing advanced self reinforced composites based on ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
topic Self-reinforced composite (SRC)
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
interlayer shear test
Charpy impact test
bending
url https://fracturae.com/index.php/fis/article/view/5503
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