Effect of Fillers on Impact Resistance of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene [UHMWPE] reinforced Polyester Composites

Abstract

In this work, the Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene [UHMWPE] fabric sample was coated using hand-lay technique with polyester resin and two types of fillers to improve the impact resistance property. The matrix comprises polyester resin with fillers like, Coconut shell powder and Boron carbide separately, in four different weight ratios [0%, 10%, 20% and 30%]. The influence of Coconut shell powder as well as Boron carbide on impact energy absorbing characteristics of the composites was studied. The impact resistance was found to be higher with the use of fillers. The Coconut shell powder provided better impact resistance about 45% higher than the Boron carbide. The average total energy absorbed by the Coconut shell powder sample ranged from 68 J to 69 J whereas the control sample absorb 47 J. Similarly the Boron carbide too provided better impact resistance by 19-36% compared with the control sample. The average total energy absorbed by the sample ranged from 56 J to 64 J. Results reveal that the increase in the percentage of Coconut shell powder filler did not significantly increase the impact resistance of UHMWPE whereas an increase in the percentage of Boron carbide improved the impact resistance, however higher percentages were found to reduce the impact resistance.