Polyethylene fibers processing

The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber is a highly crystalline fiber with very high stiffness and strength. All of this results from some innovative processing and control of structure of polyethylene. 

Figure 4.11 Flow diagram of the gel-spinning process of making ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fiber.

Structural changes during the creep process of ultrahigh-strength polyethylene fiber (UHSPE) were investigated using X-ray and the solid-state NMR techniques. As the creep strain increases, the quantity of the amorphous phase area estimated by the NMR method increases until the final creep rupture. " ... 

Spectra AUied Signal s trade name for its ultrathin polyethylene fibers that are about 10 times stronger than steel. See fiber processing, gel-spinning fiber processing, solution-spinning. 

The polyethylene fibers may be made by a spin-bonding process, which involves rapid spinning and solvent evaporation. Although the fibers are not as uniform as required for textile uses, they are much more economical when produced in this way. 

Polyethylene- Injection moulding Fiber process Polyethyleneterephthalate Characteristic crystallization. 

The figure gives a diagram of a process to produce a high performance polyethylene fiber. 

Misra et al. discovered that chicken feather fibers can be nsed as filters to remove heavy metals through the process of biosorption. They reported that the fibers could remove gold, platinum, lead, copper, and several other heavy metals from solutions. Several researchers have incorporated feather fibers into composites. Schmidt blended feather fibers with polyethylene fibers, and then melted them together, while others have used thermoset matrices, to form composites for potential use as air filters, automotive panels, and shaped plastic parts, where the feather fiber can replace glass fibers as material reinforcement. Others are evaluating the feather fibers for use in resin transfer molding."... 

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