Impact Effect on Fiber and Composite Material Based on It

In this paper, we study the properties and destruction mechanisms of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber and composite material (CM) based on it with a rigid and flexible matrix at the low-speed impact by the “impact break” (IB) method. A significant difference in the deformation behavior and destruction mechanisms upon impact of Dyneema®SK-75 UHMWPE fiber and the CM based on this fiber was experimentally found. The impact was found to have little effect on the properties of an isotropic UHMWPE fiber, while the properties of a fiber without a matrix under impact loading are several times higher than the properties of the CM based on this fiber. Upon impact, interaction occurs between the components of the CM, and such CM is an anisotropic material in which, from the first moment of impact loading to the CM destruction, a stepwise deformation mechanism is implemented: the so-called “stepwise ladder of deformation.” Step deformation is the main mechanism of deformation and destruction of anisotropic composite materials upon impact.