Pyrogallol adhesion and mineralized bionic hybrid layer decorating UHMWPE fiber for enhancing the interfacial and mechanical properties

An organic–inorganic bionic hybrid layer was created to improve the interfacial and mechanical properties of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber-reinforced epoxy (UHMWPE/Epoxy) composites by utilizing the adhesion of pyrogallol and the mineralization of Cu 2+ ions. The findings indicated that the effective application of the hybrid layer introduced a significant quantity of polar groups and inorganic Cu 3 (PO 4 ) 2 particles. Mineralization treatment remarkably increased the fiber’s surface energy from 20.64 mN/m to 31.24 mN/m, achieving 51 % improvement in wettability. The interfacial interactions between the organic–inorganic hybrid layer and epoxy resin were markedly enhanced, increasing the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) from 2.38 ± 0.28 MPa to 7.62 ± 0.74 MPa. Compared with the pristine composite, the modified UHMWPE/Epoxy exhibited up to 63 %, 69 %, and 113 % improvement in mechanical performance, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), and transverse fiber bundle tension (TFBT), respectively. Upon application of an external force, the bionic hybrid layer facilitated numerous deflections and intricate crack paths at the interface. As a result, a uniform and swift force transmission was established from the epoxy resin to the fiber.