Air Plasma-Nano ZnO Coating Improves the Impact Resistance of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber

In this study, air plasma and ZnO coating was used to modify ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibre (UHMWPE). The surface morphologies of the fibre with and without ZnO coating were examined under an electron scanning microscope (SEM), and the surface chemical composition was studied through X-ray spectroscopy. Moreover, the impact resistance and weight loss heat weight (TGA) of the fibre were examined. The results of this study indicated that the chemical activity of the fibre surface was enhanced due to the adsorption of O-C=O group, thus increasing the binding force between nano-ZnO coating and the fibre surface. A compact net-like nano-ZnO coating was identified on the fibre surface. The fibre pre-treated by plasma can be plated with more complete coatings, the thermal stability was enhanced by 19.7% after 120 s of treatment, and the impact resistance was significantly increased by 177% after 90 s of treatment.