Fuente: Journal of applied polymer Lugar: RESEARCH ARTICLE This study presents a novel polydopamine-modified UHMWPE fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composite hose with a variable diameter structure. Through optimized surface modification and structural design, the hose demonstrates significantly enhanced interfacial adhesion and pressure resistance performance. The improved burst strength and peel resistance validate its potential for advanced firefighting applications requiring adaptable connectivity and high-pressure reliability.


ABSTRACT
This study developed a polydopamine (PDA)-modified ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite hose with a variable diameter to address the limitations of single-interface design and insufficient pressure resistance in conventional fire hoses. First, UHMWPE fibers were functionalized with PDA to enhance their interfacial adhesion with the TPU matrix. Subsequently, the modified fibers were fabricated into preforms and combined with TPU inner tubes via hot-pressing to produce novel variable-diameter hoses. Multiple hose specifications were designed and manufactured to systematically evaluate interfacial bonding strength, pressure resistance, and failure mechanisms. The results demonstrate that precise control of PDA modification parameters and hose structural design significantly improve both interfacial bonding and pressure resistance. This work provides an innovative strategy for fabricating multi-interface, high-pressure-resistant fire hoses with enhanced adaptability.