Enhancement of electrospun UHMWPE fiber performance through post‐processing treatment

In this study, the mechanical performance of electrospun ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber was successfully improved by post‐processing treatment. It is performed by stretching the electrospun UHMWPE mat under constant load at temperatures ranging from 90 to 150°C. The temperat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied polymer science 2023-08, Vol.140 (31), p.n/a
Main Authors: Nayak, Prajesh, Ghosh, Anup K., Bhatnagar, Naresh
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Draw ratio
electrospun fibers
high‐performance yarn
Materials science
Mechanical properties
Morphology
Polymers
post‐processing treatment
Stretching
Temperature
Tensile strength
tensile stress‐breaking strength
Tensile tests
Thermodynamic properties
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
Yarns
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Summary:In this study, the mechanical performance of electrospun ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber was successfully improved by post‐processing treatment. It is performed by stretching the electrospun UHMWPE mat under constant load at temperatures ranging from 90 to 150°C. The temperature is varied in order to achieve the highest possible draw ratio. The prepared fibers were characterized for their morphological and thermal properties. Moreover, the induced fiber morphology and their performance due to the effect of high‐temperature stretching were evaluated using different characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and tensile testing analysis. In addition, the characteristics of prepared yarns were also compared with a commercial grade of Spectra® fibers. This analysis shows that the post‐processing of the mat resulted in the production of axially elongated microfibrillar yarn. Maximum tensile strength of 11.14 ± 3.65 GPa was attained at a stretching temperature of 130°C. However, further raising the temperature causes a decline in performance, demonstrating that the stretching temperature dramatically influences the properties of the fiber. Microstructural evolution of UHMWPE molecular chains from randomly oriented amorphous and crystalline regions to fully extended molecular chains by electrospinning and post‐processing treatment.
ISSN:0021-8995
1097-4628
DOI:10.1002/app.54221