Effect of Ionizing Radiation on the Properties of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fibers

Abstract

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene UHMW-PE fibers intended to be used as reinforcing fillers in elastomers were subjected to ionizing radiation vulcanization to avoid the deleterious effect of conventional sulfur vulcanization conditions, i.e., vulcanization temperature on the properties of polyethylene fibers. Thus, UHMW-PE fibers (Spectra™ 1000) were subjected to both gamma as well as electron beam radiation in absence of air and up to 250 kGy. Changes in melting (T_m) and crystallization temperature (T_c) enthalpy of melting and crystallization depending on the type and dose of radiation were followed up using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition to the observed decrease in tensile strength, decrease in fiber diameter and increase in modulus depending on radiation dose were correlated with the changes in fiber morphology.

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