Polydopamine by APP Template With SiC and Silane Hybrid Coating One‐Step Co‐Deposited UHMWPE Fibers and Corona Reinforced Epoxy Composites

ABSTRACT Due to low surface energy, high chemical inertness, and poor interfacial properties of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, it was difficult to achieve good adhesion with the matrix interface. Surface coating modification based on polydopamine (PDA) was widely applied to build high‐performance and specifically functional surface modifications. In order to improve the interfacial adhesion between UHMWPE fibers and epoxy resin, this study used a one‐step process with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) as a template to deposit a hybrid coating of PDA and N ‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (KH792)/3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550)/nano silicon carbide (SiC) on the surface of UHMWPE fibers. Additionally, corona treatment was applied to increase oxygen‐containing functional groups on fibers while also improving the processing technology of composites. Due to the polymerization of PDA, the deposition of SiC, and the hydrolysis‐condensation of silanes, the nanohybrid coating can provide rich connection points and nanoparticles for hybrid fabrics without affecting the inherent strength of fibers. Corona improved surface roughness, and hybrid coatings enhanced the interfacial adhesion between the resin matrix and fibers. The UHMWPE fiber/epoxy composite material after improved composite technology exhibited excellent mechanical properties. Compared with untreated composite laminates, interfacial shear strength (IFSS) was increased by 88.81%, flexural strength was enhanced by 87.89%, impact strength was improved by 64.39%, and tensile strength was raised by 26.58%. The study showed that the nanohybrid coating co‐deposited with PDA and corona enhanced the interfacial bond between epoxy resin and UHMWPE fibers, increased relative friction at the fracture interface, and improved load transfer between UHMWPE fibers and matrix.