Viscous behavior of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene solution

The viscous behavior of the decalin solution of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMEPE) was studied. The influence of the concentration of polymer as well as the temperature was investigated. The flow curve can be described by the power-law model. The dependence of the viscosity on the temperature can be described by the Arrhenius–Frenkel–Eyring equation. The dependence of viscosity on the concentration can also be described by a power-law correlation. The addition of aluminum stearate increased the activation energy of flow of the solution. The viscosity of UHMWPE solution was decreased at lower concentration and increased at higher concentration of UHMWPE. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:289–293, 1997     

The grafting of methyl methacrylate onto ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber by plasma and UV treatment

In this study, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers were treated with a gas plasma of argon for 5 min. The plasma-treated UHMWPE fibers were put into a methyl methacrylate solution with n-hexane or chloroform as the solvent and irradiated with a UV lamp. The UV irradiation time was changed. The surface topography that had a significant change on the fiber was seen by scanning electron microscopy. Infrared spectra (IR) and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) were also studied to probe the surface atomic chemistry and to identify the functional groups and their relative changes with treatment conditions. The grafting content was estimated by the titration of esterfication method. It was found that the grafting amount for the system with chloroform as the solvent is larger than that for the system with n-hexane as the solvent. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:365–371, 1997     

Effects of phenolic antioxidants on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/decalin solution

The degradation of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW‐PE) during its dissolution into decalin is discussed. The stabilization of the solution by three phenolic antioxidants, octadecyl β‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)propionate (1076), tetrakis[methylene‐β‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane (1010), and 1,1,3‐tris(2‐methyl‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐tert‐butylphenyl)butane (CA), and an auxiliary antioxidant, dilaurylthiodipropionate (DLTP) is also discussed. Among the three phenolic antioxidants, 1076 had the greatest effect. The auxiliary antioxidant was effective in stabilizing the solution when combined with one of the three phenolic antioxidants. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2877–2881, 2000     

超高相对分子质量聚乙烯接枝丙烯酸的制备

以丙烯酸为单体,采用γ射线辐照引发技术制备了超高相对分子质量聚乙烯接枝丙烯酸(UHMWPE- g-AA);利用傅里叶变换红外光谱和差示扫描量热法表征了接枝物的结构和热性能;用化学滴定法测定了接枝物的接枝率;研究了UHMWPE-g-AA对聚酰胺(PA)1010/UHMWPE-g-AA/UHMWPE共混物力学性能的影响。实验表明：接枝物在1716cm~(-1)处有明显的羰基特征吸收峰,说明AA分子确实被接枝到UHMWPE分子链上;接枝率随单体浓度、辐照剂量及辐照时间的增加而增加;加入UHMWPE-g-AA后,UHMWPE与PA1010的相容性得到了改善,PA1010/UHMWPE-g-AA/UHMWPE共混物的缺口冲击强度是PA1010/UHMWPE共混物的1.5倍,达到72J/m。     

超高分子量聚乙烯树脂的溶胀性的检测分析

通过上海化工研究院设计的在线检测装置对超高分子量聚乙烯(UHMWPE)溶胀过程中的温度、黏度进行测试,形成了UHMWPE树脂溶胀工艺的检测方法,对黏均分子量分别为3.261×106(A),3.833×106(B),3.455×106(C)3种不同树脂的溶胀温度、溶胀时间、溶胀比等参数进行了分析。结果表明:A,B,C树脂的溶胀温度分别为121,120,119℃;对溶胀釜加热系统设定统一温度,釜内温度达120℃时,A,B,C树脂的溶胀时间分别为60,30,3 min,溶胀比分别为2.37,2.51,2.31。     

Extrusion of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene under ultrasonic vibration field

The effects of polypropylene (PP) and ultrasonic irradiation on the processing and mechanical properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) are studied. The results show that PP can effectively improve the fluidity and mechanical properties of UHMWPE. The Izod notched impact strength increases from 92 kJ/m² for pure UHMWPE to 109.2 kJ/m² for the blend of UHMWPE with 10 wt % PP. The Young's modulus increases from 528 MPa for pure UHMWPE to 1128 MPa when 25 wt % PP is contained in the blend, and the yield strength also rises when PP is added. The application of ultrasonic vibrations during extrusion can prominently decrease the die pressure and apparent viscosity of the melt, thus increasing the output of extrudate. An appropriate ultrasonic intensity and irradiation time can further promote the mechanical properties, while an overdose of irradiation destroys them. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2628–2632, 2003     

Crystallization rates of moderate and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene characterized by Flash DSC measurement

We compared crystallization rates in three bulk commercial polyethylene samples separately consisting of two ultrahigh molecular weights and one moderate molecular weight. The lower‐end temperature of isothermal crystallization was expanded by means of Flash DSC measurement in order to approach the practically fast crystallization region. The results showed that, in the whole temperature range of our observations, ultrahigh molecular weights make polyethylene crystallization faster than moderate molecular weights. This behaviour is opposite to the general trend in linear polymers. In addition, ultrahigh molecular weights make polyethylene crystals resist fast heating before melting more than moderate molecular weights, due to high entanglement around the crystals. We discuss the possible mechanism of fast crystallization in ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, which is beneficial for prosthesis uses. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of stearic acid on the tensile properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers

For the purpose of the development of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers with improved tensile properties, the stearic acid (SA) was added to the gel spinning of UHMWPE and acted as a lubricant film. SA addition was intended to be 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 wt% of UHMWPE for forming the SA modified UHMWPE fibers. The tensile properties, thermal properties, crystallization properties, and orientation properties of the prepared UHMWPE fibers were systematically investigated. Results show that there is a more significant tensile property for UHMWPE fibers as SA addition is 0.6 wt%. Their tensile strength and tensile modulus reach 32.86 and 1580.89 cN/dtex, which are raised to an extent of 12.0% and 7.7%, respectively, compared with UHMWPE fibers alone. Moreover, the thermal properties, crystallization properties, and orientation properties of the prepared UHMWPE fibers are enhanced observably when the SA addition is 0.6 wt%.     

Impact behavior of phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone)/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene blends

This work presents the structure and impact properties of phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone) blended with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (PES-C/UHMWPE) at different compositions. The addition of UHMWPE can considerably improve the Charpy and Izod impact strength of the blends. The fracture surface is examined to demonstrate the toughening mechanics related to the modified PES-C resin. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67: 113–118, 1998     

Ultradrawing behavior of one- and two-stage drawn gel films of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and low molecular weight polyethylene blends

The ultradrawing behavior of gel films of plain ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and UHMWPE/low molecular weight polyethylene (LMWPE) blends was investigated using one- and two-stage drawing processes. The drawability of these gel films were found to depend significantly on the temperatures used in the one- and two-stage drawing processes. The critical draw ratio (λ_c) of each gel film prepared near its critical concentration was found to approach a maximum value, when the gel film was drawn at an “optimum” temperature ranging from 95 to 105°C. At each drawing temperature, the one-stage drawn gel films exhibited an abrupt change in their birefringence and thermal properties as their draw ratios reached about 40. In contrast, the critical draw ratios of the two-stage drawn gel films can be further improved to be higher than those of the corresponding single-stage drawn gel films, in which the two-stage drawn gel films were drawn at another “optimum” temperature in the second drawing stage after they had been drawn at 95°C to a draw ratio of 40 in the first drawing stage. These interesting phenomena were investigated in terms of the reduced viscosities of the solutions, thermal analysis, birefringence, and tensile properties of the drawn and undrawn gel films. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 149–159, 1998     

Preparation and characterization of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and polyisoprene solvent-cast blend films

This study covers the preparation of noncrosslinked and crosslinked solvent-cast blend films of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and polyisoprene rubber (PIR) and their mechanical, thermal, IR spectroscopic, and morphological characterizations. Solvent-cast films of polymer blends with 0, 10, 20, 35, 50, and 65% PIR composition were prepared by vigorous stirring from a hot decalin solution. The films were crosslinked chemically by using acetophenone as a crosslinking agent under UV radiation. The mechanical properties, measured as ultimate properties and tensile modulus, were found to decrease with PIR content but crosslinking was found to enhance the ultimate strength and tensile modulus. DSC results revealed that melting point of UHMWPE remains almost constant in blends. However, upon crosslinking, the melting point of UHMWPE is depressed almost 5°C. We observed a similar trend in the enthalpy change of the melting of UHMWPE and the variation of percent crystallinity in UHMWPE. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies on the fractured surfaces of the blends showed that the fibrillar texture is present in both crosslinked and noncrosslinked blends. The crosslinking appeared to be through oxygen linkages, which are preferentially conjugated to double bonds, in addition to the possible carbon–carbon crosslinks. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:1619–1630, 1998     

A conducting composite of polypyrrole with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene foam

Through a chemical polymerization of pyrrole inside ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) foam, a conducting polymer composite was obtained. To produce conductive polymer foams, successive imbibiting of reactives, FeCl₃ and pyrrole in tetrahydrofuran solutions, were carried out. The conductive polymeric materials were characterized by FTIR, DSC, and SEM. Mechanical property measurements were carried out on the films prepared by the compression molding of the conductive foam polymers. These films showed rather high tensile strength compared to pure UHMWPE. Conductivity determined by a two‐probe technique showed that it increased with the pyrrole content in the UHMWPE foam matrix. The compression molding, however, resulted in a considerable reduction in the conductivities. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1843–1850, 1999     

Study on processing of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/polypropylene blends: Capillary flow properties and microstructure

The capillary flow properties and morphologies of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/polypropylene (UHMWPE/PP) blends were studied. The results show that UHMWPE is difficult to process. The melts flowed unsteadily at lower shear rate. With 10 wt % PP contained in the UHMWPE/PP blends, the apparent melt viscosity was much lower than that of UHMWPE. When the PP content increased to 20 and 30 wt %, no pressure vibration occurred throughout the whole shear rate range. Microstructure analysis showed that PP prefers to locate in the amorphous or low crystallinity zones of the UHMWPE matrix. The flowability of UHMWPE increased substantially with the addition of PP. The addition of PE could not effectively reduce the chain entanglement density of UHMWPE. The improvement of processability of UHMWPE by the addition of PE was rather limited. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3894–3900, 2004     

炭黑在超高分子量聚乙烯阻燃改性中的作用

介绍了利用炭黑和胶囊化红磷作为阻燃剂对超高分子量聚乙烯(UHMWPE)进行共混改性的研究,比较了不同种类炭黑的作用效果.研究了改性对UHMWPE阻燃性能、力学性能和耐热性能的影响,优化了阻燃配方,讨论了阻燃机理.     

超高分子量聚乙烯改性研究进展

综述了近年来超高分子量聚乙烯（PE?UHMW）改性的最新研究进展,包括采用辐照交联法、填充改性法及共混改性法等进行摩擦性能改性,和采用涂层改性法、等离子体改性法等进行纤维表面性能改性,并讨论了摩擦性能改性与纤维的表面性能改性研究面临的挑战。     

超高强高模聚乙烯纤维及其复合材料的研究进展

简述了超高强高模聚乙烯(UHMWPE)纤维的性能、种类及利用凝胶纺丝技术的制备情况。综述 了对该类纤维及其复合材料界面改性的等离子处理法,以及UHMWPE纤维复合材料在防弹防护、绳索类、 雷达天线罩等领域的研究及应用进展。     

Preparation and characterization of novel ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene composite fibers filled with nanosilica particles

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/nanosilica (F₂S_y) and UHMWPE/modified nanosilica (F₂S_mx‐y) as‐prepared fibers were prepared by spinning of F₂S_y and F₂S_mx‐y gel solutions, respectively. Modified nanosilica particles were prepared by grafting maleic anhydride grafted polyethylenes onto nanosilica particles. The achievable draw ratios (D_ra) of F₂S_y and F₂S_mx‐y as‐prepared fibers approached a maximal value as the original and modified nanosilica contents reached corresponding optimum values; the maximal D_ra value obtained for F₂S_mx‐y as‐prepared fiber specimens was significantly higher than that of the F₂S_y as‐prepared fiber specimens prepared at the optimum nanosilica content. The melting temperature and evaluated lamellar thickness values of F₂S_y and F₂S_mx‐y as‐prepared fiber series specimens decrease, but crystallinity values increase significantly, as their original and modified nanosilica contents respectively increase. Similar to the achievable drawing properties of the as‐prepared fibers, the orientation factor, tensile strength (σ_f) and initial modulus (E) values of both drawn F₂S_y and F₂S_mx‐y fiber series specimens with a fixed draw ratio reach a maximal value as the original and/or modified nanosilica contents approach the optimum values; the σ_f and E values of the drawn F₂S_mx‐y fiber specimens are significantly higher than those of the corresponding drawn F₂S_y fiber specimens prepared at the same draw ratios and nanosilica contents but without being modified. To understand the interesting ultradrawing, thermal, orientation and tensile properties of F₂S_y and F₂S_mx‐y fiber specimens, Fourier transform infrared, specific surface area and transmission electron microscopy analyses of the original and modified nanosilica were performed in this study. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Electrical behavior and structure of polypropylene/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/carbon black immiscible blends

This study investigates the electrical behavior, which is the positive temperature coefficient/negative temperature coefficient (PTC/NTC), and structure of polypropylene (PP)/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/carbon black (CB) and PP/γ irradiated UHMWPE (XL‐UHMWPE)/CB blends. As‐received UHMWPE or XL‐UHMWPE particles are chosen as the dispersed phase because of their unusual structural and rheological properties (extremely high viscosity), which practically prevent CB particles penetration. Because of their stronger affinity to PE, CB particles initially form conductive networks in the UHMWPE phase, followed by distribution in the PP matrix, thus interconnecting the CB‐covered UHMWPE particles. This unusual CB distribution results in a reduced electrical percolation threshold and also a double‐PTC effect. The blends are also investigated as filaments for the effect of shear rate and processing temperature on their electrical properties using a capillary rheometer. Because of the different morphologies of the as‐received and XL‐UHMWPE particles in the filaments, the UHMWPE containing blends exhibit unpredictable resistivities with increasing shear rates, while their XL‐UHMWPE containing counterparts depict more stable trends. The different electrical properties of the produced filaments are also related to differences in the rheological behavior of PP/UHMWPE/CB and PP/XL‐UHMWPE/CB blends. Although the flow mechanism of the former blend is attributed to polymer viscous flow, the latter is attributed to particle slippage effects. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 104–115, 2001     

Toughness enhancement of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with functionalized ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is available commercially in the form of powder, consisting of fine primary particles, 1–5 μm in diameter, agglomerated into secondary “free‐flowing” particles with overall dimensions in the region of 50 to 150 μm. These are normally sufficiently coherent and retain their conglomerated particulate structure when blended with other polymers because of the extremely high viscosity of UHMWPE. In this study the surface of the agglomerated primary particles was acid functionalized by reactions with aqueous solutions of acrylic acid, after being irradiated with γ‐radiation at 15–45 kGy. The acid groups were used to introduce a glycidoxyl functionality through reactions with a difunctional cycloaliphatic epoxy resin and also to a “partial” metal carboxylate functionality through reactions with zinc acetyl acetonate. When blended with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in either a small‐batch mixer or in a twin‐screw extruder all the treated powders, except those functionalized with acrylic acid, were broken down to their primary size and were uniformly dispersed and strongly bonded to the surrounding matrix. The blends containing the deglomerated particles were found to have much greater ductility and toughness than those produced from both untreated and acid functionalized powder. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2972–2986, 2001     

Effects of calcium stearate addition of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in direct compression molding

The effects of calcium stearate addition in molding of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were investigated by tensile testing, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Four types of UHMWPE specimens with varying contents of calcium stearate (<5, 50, 100, and 1000 ppm) were used in this study. SEM observation revealed that calcium stearate added specimens have smoother and more homogeneous microstructures. After accelerated aging, subsurface oxidative degeneration was observed in all specimens; however, calcium stearate added specimens had less oxidative degeneration in comparison with specimens without additives. Specimens showed better mechanical properties with increasing content of calcium stearate. Though all specimens aggravated their mechanical properties due to oxidation after accelerated aging, the specimens of 100 ppm of calcium stearate showed better properties at 3.7 MPa larger yield strength and four times larger value of elongation at fracture than the specimens without additives. These results indicate that calcium stearate addition produces dense packing of UHMWPE particles, which brings about stronger fusion among the particles and fewer structural defects, and results in better mechanical properties and better resistance to oxidative degeneration. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1602–1609, 2003