3.2.3. Hardness
Fig. 7 shows the hardness of the UHMWPE fibers/NR composites
with different fiber loading. It is observed that the hardness increases with increasing fiber loading in both as-received and
treated UHMWPE fibers/NR composites. Higher amounts of fibers are found to give higher hardness. Compared with pure NR, the hardness of as-received and treated UHMWPE fibers/NR composites is increased to 94% and 88%. However, the difference between as-received and treated UHMWPE fibers/NR composites added the same fiber content is not obvious.