High modulus polyethylene fiber bundles as reinforcement for brittle matrices

摘要

A process for producing bundles of high modulus polyethylene fibers for reinforcement in composites wherein the matrix is a brittle material such as cement, concrete, plaster of Paris or the like. The process involves passing high modulus polyethylene yarn through high pressure nip rolls to deform the individual filaments and to form a loosely adhering unitary mass or bundle of filaments which is then chopped into short lengths for use as fibrous reinforcement in composites. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn is twisted prior to being passed through the nip rolls.