| Abstract: | Deformed high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) rod, produced by die drawing at 115°C, was cleaved longitudinally at liquid nitrogen temperature and the cleaved surface was etched using a permanganic etching technique. A series of etched surfaces of HMWPE sections with different draw ratios (from 1 to 13) were analyzed employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The change of crystalline structure in HMWPE during die drawing was observed. In undrawn HMWPE. the spherulites were made up of sheaflike lamellae and scattered within the amorphous phase. During die drawing in the first instance, the microscopically inhomogeneous deformation occurred and the spherulites aligned along the drawing direction. At a draw ratio of about 7, local melting occurred, the spherulites disintegrated, and the sheaflike lamellae oriented, followed by straininduced recrystallization and the growth of the lamellae. Finally, at a draw ratio of about 12, the plastic deformation of the lamellae occurred and microfibrils were formed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
