Viscoelastically generated prestress from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibres

The viscoelastic characteristics of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres are investigated, in terms of creep-induced recovery strain and force output, to evaluate their potential for producing a novel form of prestressed composite. Composite production involves subjecting fibres to tensile creep, the applied load being removed before moulding the fibres into a resin matrix. After matrix curing, the viscoelastically strained fibres impart compressive stresses to the surrounding matrix, to produce a viscoelastically prestressed polymeric matrix composite (VPPMC). Previous research has demonstrated that nylon fibre-based VPPMCs can improve mechanical properties without needing to increase mass or section dimensions. The viability of UHMWPE fibre-based VPPMCs is demonstrated through flexural stiffness tests. Compared with control (unstressed) counterparts, these VPPMCs typically show increases of 20–40 % in flexural modulus. Studies on the viscoelastic characteristics indicate that these fibres can release mechanical energy over a long-timescale and fibre core–skin interactions may have an important role.