Abstract:
We report the effect of phase transition of Vanadium dioxide (VO2) reinforcements in the ultra-high molecular
weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) polymer matrix on the dynamic compressive strength of the composite. VO2 is
well known for its insulator to metal transition above 68 ℃ along with the structural changes. VO2 –UHMWPE
polymer composite is fabricated by hot-press method into a layered structure. The effect of filler’s microstructure
and strain rate (~ 2600 /s to 3500 /s) are also studied through the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) test. The
high strain rate loading test is carried out at room temperature and 75 ◦C via modified SHPB set-up to investigate
the role of the phase transition in VO2 that occurs at 68 ◦C. The developed VO2 - UHMWPE composite shows 16
% and 9% enhancements in dynamic compressive strength across the phase transition for VO2 SCSFs and VO2
particles respectively. Phase transition of VO2 and composites are confirmed by DSC and the surface microstructure of the composites is confirmed by scanning electron microscope observations. Post - loading microstructural investigations are carried out with X-ray computed tomography that revealed cracks in the reinforced
VO2 SCSFs. The developed composite with enhanced dynamic compressive strength provides a novel platform to
design smart composites for high strain rate applications.
