Effect of Accelerated Ageing on Ballistic Textiles Modified By Plasma-Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (PACVD)

The functionalisation of textile products and materials using the low temperature plasma technique is increasingly used in industrial practice, mainly because of the many benefits, often unattainable with the use of other techniques. The study focused on the modification of the composite textile materials - sheets of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres (Dyneemau (R)) SB51) by applying the surface deposition of silicone-like polymer in an environment of low temperature plasma. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the mechanical and physical properties of modified ballistic textiles under simulated storage conditions in accelerated time. Based on experiences in planning the research on accelerated aging, a test programme was developed for the assessment of changes during the aging process in ballistic fibrous materials under various environmental conditions. The process of low temperature plasma modification affected the mechanical properties of the ballistic composite textile materials during the accelerated ageing using temperature or temperature and humidity. The effect of the modification varied with the mechanical properties investigated.