Preparation and characterization of novel ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene composite fibers filled with nanosilica particles

Abstract

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/nanosilica (F2Sy) and UHMWPE/modified nanosilica (F2Smx‐y) as‐prepared fibers were prepared by spinning of F2Sy and F2Smx‐y gel solutions, respectively. Modified nanosilica particles were prepared by grafting maleic anhydride grafted polyethylenes onto nanosilica particles. The achievable draw ratios (Dra) of F2Sy and F2Smx‐y as‐prepared fibers approached a maximal value as the original and modified nanosilica contents reached corresponding optimum values; the maximal Dra value obtained for F2Smx‐y as‐prepared fiber specimens was significantly higher than that of the F2Sy as‐prepared fiber specimens prepared at the optimum nanosilica content. The melting temperature and evaluated lamellar thickness values of F2Sy and F2Smx‐y as‐prepared fiber series specimens decrease, but crystallinity values increase significantly, as their original and modified nanosilica contents respectively increase. Similar to the achievable drawing properties of the as‐prepared fibers, the orientation factor, tensile strength (σf) and initial modulus (E) values of both drawn F2Sy and F2Smx‐y fiber series specimens with a fixed draw ratio reach a maximal value as the original and/or modified nanosilica contents approach the optimum values; the σf and E values of the drawn F2Smx‐y fiber specimens are significantly higher than those of the corresponding drawn F2Sy fiber specimens prepared at the same draw ratios and nanosilica contents but without being modified. To understand the interesting ultradrawing, thermal, orientation and tensile properties of F2Sy and F2Smx‐y fiber specimens, Fourier transform infrared, specific surface area and transmission electron microscopy analyses of the original and modified nanosilica were performed in this study. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Ultradrawing and ultimate tensile properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composite fibers filled with functionalized nanoalumina fillers

“…The σ f values of UHMWPE/FNAL drawn fibers prepared using one‐stage drawing process at 95°C can reached as high as 4.12 GPa, which was about 54% higher than that of the corresponding plain UHMWPE drawn fiber prepared at the same optimal UHMWPE concentration, formation and drawing condition but without addition of FNAL fillers. However, D ra and ultimate σ f values of the best prepared UHMWPE/FNAL fiber were significantly lower than those of the best prepared UHMWPE/purified ATP, UHMWPE/functionalized CNT, UHMWPE/functionalized nanosilica and UHMWPE/modified bacterial cellulose fibers reported in our previous investigations , although the specific surface areas (c.a., 480 m 2 /g) of FNAL fillers were even higher than those of many nanofillers used in our previous studies. Presumably, this is due to the extraordinary small dimensions (i.e., 3–5 nm in diameters) of FNAL fillers, which are not easy to disperse but tend to coagulate during the gel‐spinning processes of UHMWPE/FNAL gel solutions.…”

“…Our recent investigations revealed that the achievable draw ratios ( D ra ) of UHMWPE/nanofillers as‐prepared fibers prepared near the optimal nanofiller contents improve to a maximal value as their nanofiller contents increase up to an optimal value, respectively. In which, the nanofillers, for example, carbon nanotube (CNT) , attapulgite (ATP), and acid treated ATP , nanosilica and modified nanosilica with extremely high specific surface areas (≧150 m 2 g −1 ) can serve as efficient nucleation sites and facilitate the crystallization of UHMWPE molecules into crystals but with lower melting temperatures ( T m ) and/or evaluated smaller crystal thickness ( l c ) values during their crystallization processes. Presumably, the crystals with lower T m and/or evaluated smaller l c values obtained at proper original and/or modified nanofiller contents can be melted and pulled out of folded lamellar crystals relatively easily during ultradrawing processes, and hence, results in higher drawability and orientation of the UHMWPE/nanofillers or UHMWPE/modified nanofillers as‐prepared fibers.…”

Surface modification of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber by different kinds of SiO2nanoparticles

“…As showed in Fig. , both spectrum displayed absorption at 3,424, 1,630, 950, 800, and 465 cm −1 , corresponding to the stretching vibration of hydroxyl, the bending vibration of hydroxyl, asymmetric stretching vibration of Si–O–Si, the symmetric stretching vibration Si–O–Si and the bending vibration of Si–O–Si, respectively .…”

“…The inert surface seriously restricts the applications of UHMWPE fiber. During the past decades, many methods were used for fiber surface to improve the interfacial adhesion strength, such as chemical etching , plasma treatment , polymer grafting , inorganic filler , irradiation treatment , corona treatment , and so on. Sometimes, several methods were applied at the same time .…”

Enhancement on ultimate tensile properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composite fibers filled with activated nanocarbon particles with varying specific surface areas

“…Unremitting efforts were made in the exploration and development of high performance fibers with tenacity higher than 20 g/d . Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers attracted great attention and were one of the most rapidly developing families of high performance fibers owing to their light weight, excellent tenacity, flexibility, ultraviolet and chemical stability properties since 1980s . They have been extensively applied in security equipment, such as in ballistic armor, personnel and vehicle protection.…”