Consolidation of Composites by Solution Impregnation Routes

A method for achieving matrix impregnation of UHMWPE fibres by a UHMWPE matrix by a solution impregnation route has been presented by Cohen et al. [86]. A heated solution of UHMWPE in tetralin was used to coat commercial UHMWPE yams. In this way, the subsequent removal of the tetralin solvent from the coated yam results in a UHMWPE yams coated in the UHMWPE solute. Cohen et al. reported the subsequent thermal processing of these coated yams into unidirectional laminates with fibre volume fractions of up to 85%. Unlike many of the other technologies presented so far, the solution coating process presented by Cohen et al. yields a tmer self-reinforced polymer composite in the sense that the 

Maity et al. reported the creation of commercial UHMWPE short (3-5 mm) fibre-reinforced LDPE composites [90, 91]. The composites were reported to have been created by first dissolving the LDPE matrix phase in heated toluene. Short chopped UHMWPE fibres were then added to this solution and stirred to achieve fibre distribution. Eollowing the extraction of the solvent, compression moulding was performed to yield a composite laminate, albeit with fibre volume fractions of typically only 15%. 

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