Ultradrawing properties of ultrahigh‐ molecular‐weight polyethylene/carbon nanotube fibers prepared at various formation temperatures |
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| Authors: | Jen‐Taut Yeh Yu‐Ching Lai Hai Liu Yao‐Chi Shu Chi‐Yuan Huang Kuo‐Shien Huang Kan‐Nan Chen |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Graduate School of Polymer Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan;2. Key Laboratory of Green Processing and Functional Textiles of New Textile Materials (Wuhan University of Science and Engineering), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China;3. Faculty of Chemistry and Material Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, China;4. Department of Polymer Materials, Vanung University, Tao‐Yuan, Taiwan;5. Department of Materials Engineering, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan;6. Department of Polymer Materials, Kun Shan University, Yung Kang, Taiwan;7. Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, Taipei, Taiwan |
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| Abstract: | The influence of formation temperature on the ultradrawing properties of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene/carbon nanotube (UHMWPE/CNT) fiber specimens is investigated. Gel solutions of UHMWPE/CNT with various CNT contents were gel‐spun at the optimum concentration and temperature but were cooled at varying formation temperatures in order to improve the ultradrawing and tensile properties of the UHMWPE/CNT composite fibers. The achievable draw ratio (Dra) values of UHMWPE/CNT as‐prepared fibers reach a maximum when they are prepared with the optimum CNT content and formation temperature. The Dra value of UHMWPE/CNT as‐prepared fibers produced using the optimum CNT content and formation temperature is about 33% higher than that of UHMWPE as‐prepared fibers produced using the optimum concentration and formation temperature. The percentage crystallinity (Wc) and melting temperature (Tm) of UHMWPE/CNT as‐prepared fiber specimens increase significantly as the formation temperature increases. In contrast, Wc increases but Tm decreases significantly as the CNT content increases. Dynamic mechanical analysis of UHMWPE and UHMWPE/CNT fiber specimens exhibits particularly high α‐transition and low β‐transition, wherein the peak temperatures of α‐transition and β‐transition increase dramatically as the formation temperature increases and/or CNT content decreases. In order to understand these interesting drawing, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of the UHMWPE and UHMWPE/CNT as‐prepared fiber specimens, birefringence, morphological and tensile studies of as‐prepared and drawn fibers were carried out. Possible mechanisms accounting for these interesting properties are proposed. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry |
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| Keywords: | ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene carbon nanotubes formation temperatures |
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