UHMWPE Fibers
“Dyneema and Spectra are gel spun through a spinneret to form oriented-strand synthetic fibers of UHMWPE, which have yield strengths as high as 2.4 GPa and density as low as 0.97 kg/l (for Dyneema SK75). High-strength steels have comparable yield strengths, and low-carbon steels have yield strengths much lower (around 0.5 GPa). Since steel has a density approximately equal to 7.8 kg/l, this gives strength-to-weight ratios for these materials in a range from 10 to 100 times higher than steel. Strength-to-weight ratios for Dyneema are about 40% higher than for aramid.” (Wikipedia, UHMPE Fibers, 1/21/2011)
Fibers
Polyethylene
Polymers /Resins
Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)
Recent Journal Articles
Properties of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers after ion beam treatment
(1628–1633) Journal of Applied Polymer Science 122 #3 (2011)
Yakusheva et al of the Russian Academy of Science, Russia, treated ultrahigh molecular weight fibers by low energy ion beam in a pulse regime. Results of infrared and WAXD analyses showed the change of both chemical structure and morphology of the fiber surface. Adhesion of the treated fiber surface to conventional binders appeared to be two times higher than that of untreated fiber. (RDC 7/19/2011)
Structure and Dynamics of Drawn Gel-Spun Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Fibers by 1H, 13C and 129Xe NMR
(2611–2623)Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 211 #24 (2010)
Demco et alshowed that the relative amount of orthorhombic, monoclinic and intermediate fractions increase with the Young modulus as opposed to the highly mobile amorphous phase. The chain dynamics of this last fraction becomes less hindered. 129Xe NMR spectroscopy shows that the volume-average diameter of voids increases with the Young modulus and the production of nanovoids is accelerated in drawn UHMWPE fibers. (RDC 1/13/2011)