Aramid FRPs with thermoplastic matrices

It should be noted that, in general, thermosetting composites have shown superiority over the majority of the thermoplastic materials with regard to longer hfe and sustainabihty 

Kevlar fibers can be used as reinforcement for wood-flour/high-density-polyethylene matrices to improve their mechanical properties. The study of Ou et al. [112] demonstrates that the addition of a small amount (23%) of Kevlar short fibers can cause an improvement in the tensile, flexural and impact properties of HDPE/wood composites. As expected, additional surface modification of the Kevlar fiber with organosilanes and halides resulted in a further improvement on the composites mechanical properties. This effect was ascribed to the increased interfacial compatibility between the aramid fibers and HDPE, evidenced by SEM, XPS and FTIR methods. 

The discussion on the preparation and properties of p-aramid FRP composites should not omit the most famous application of these materials in ballistic protection. A great deal of the freely available information in this area is included in numerous patents and technical publications. Significantly less in number are the scientific articles, most frequently dealing with modeling studies. Even a brief overview on the p-aramid composites in ballistics would probably require a separate chapter. Due to space limitations, we wUl only mention here a recently reported phenomenon with big potential for more flexible and better protecting body armor in the future. 

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