Recent Progress in the Development of High Modulus Flexible Polymers

  • Ian M Ward
Chapter

Abstract

Recent research at Leeds University on high modulus polymers is reviewed. With the development of practical processes for melt spun and drawn ultra-high modulus polyethylene fibres, attention has been directed to improvements in creep behaviour, especially by electron beam cross-linking treatment, and in tensile strength by changes in molecular weight. The high ductility of the fibres suggests potential applications in fibre reinforced composites. Guidelines have been established for the effectiveness of surface treatments designed to improve fibre/resin adhesion, and a wide range of composites produced, in some instances incorporating both polyethylene fibres and either glass or carbon fibres.

The production of solid-section high modulus materials (rod, sheet and tube) has seen major advances with the development of large scale facilities for die-drawing. The die-drawing technique has been shown to be very versatile, and products with both uniaxial and biaxial orientation have been made for a wide range of polymers including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylchloride. The technique of hydrostatic extrusion continues to be of some interest at a fundamental level, with the preparation of highly oriented materials from chain-extended polyethylenes.

Keywords

Creep Rate Creep Behaviour Draw Ratio Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Tensile Drawing 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Elsevier Applied Science Publishers Ltd. 1988

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ian M Ward
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of PhysicsUniversity of Leeds LeedsLeedsUK

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