Tensile properties of polymerization-filled Kevlar pulp/polyethylene composites

Polymerization-filled composites (PFC) and melt-blended composites (MBC) of Kevlar pulp/high density polyethylene composites were prepared to compare their mechanical properties. It was found that break strains of PFC composites were by far higher than MBC composites for a similar fiber concentration. Tensile data were then used to compare several models of short fiber polymer composites. Of all the models tested, it was found that Berlin's approach in combination with Rosen's model for critical aspect ratio give reasonable prediction. It was also found that fiber's aspect ratio in composites is strongly related to the processing technique used.