Abstract:

The aim of this study was to compare the susceptibility of the plasma assisted chemical vapour deposition (PACVD) - surface modification of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibrous composite to conditions of use and storing simulated by accelerated aging. Aspects of heksametylodisiloksan (HMDSO) implementation as donor for deposited during PACVD modification nanolayer as well as the selection of a new textile carrier were discussed. For the identification of potential changes in PACVD - modified UHMWPE, with, the Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDS) techniques were applied. The PACVD surface modification of UHMWPE showed insignificant changes in structural properties after using temperature or simultaneously temperature and humidity ageing factors. The process of accelerated ageing confirmed the time-stable presence of silicon contained in the polymer layer in both cases: when temperature or simultaneously temperature and humidity were used as accelerated aging factors. No significant changes in the morphology nor topography of the fibrous materials tested were found, subjected or not to the process of PACVD - modification using the HMDSO as a substrate for the surface-deposited polymer.