The fracture toughness K&, and crack propagation of four types of ultrahighmodulus polyethylene (UHMPE) fiber-reinforced composites were investigated under conventional testing conditions and using a scanning electron microscope. The value of Kk is found to depend on the nature of the matrix and interface and the volume fraction of the fibers. The machining method has no significant effect on K,. The fracture mechanisms of UHMPE fiber composites are discussed.
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