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Morphological and local mechanical surface characterization of ballistic fibers via AFM
Author(s) -
Strawhecker Kenneth E.,
Cole Daniel P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.40880
Subject(s) - aramid , materials science , nanoindentation , composite material , synthetic fiber , kevlar , fiber , characterization (materials science) , polyethylene , modulus , atomic force microscopy , elastic modulus , polymer , nanotechnology , epoxy
As‐received morphologies, defect structures, and contact moduli of Kevlar KM2 Plus and three other ballistic fibers varying in chemistry and processing, were observed and compared using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and instrumented nanoindentation (NI) techniques. Surface features and defects were defined and measured for each fiber chemistry: p ‐phenylene terephthalamides (PPTA including KM2 Plus and Twaron), co‐polymer aramid (AuTx), and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE including Dyneema). Although a multitude of surface defects were observed in each fiber, the types of defects were similar from one fiber type to another. It was found that surface defects generally map to a more compliant local modulus value. Contact modulus values were compared with NI elastic modulus values to demonstrate validity for the AFM technique. Challenges and limitations of the AFM technique for cataloging defects are discussed. This study is the first which attempts to outline the various morphologies found on several fiber surfaces. These local property studies will enable future comparisons with single filament and bulk fiber properties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131 , 40880.