Study On Extraction And Drying Processes Of Uhmwpe Gel Fibers Of Different Concentrations

The extraction-drying processes of UHMWPE gel fibres of different concentrations were studied in this paper, The influence of changes of gel concentration of UHMWPE fiber on the final performance of the fibers has been explored. Different concentrations of gel fibers (8.5%- 9.0% respectively) were extracted at different temperatures (30℃-75℃) and then dryed by stretch and slack approaches after the fiber were drawn at room temperature.The Instron1122 testing machine, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used in this subject for studying mechanical and morphological properties of the fibers. A series of methods, such as Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD), Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), and other methods were used to test the percentage crystallinity, melting temperature and other properties of the fibers.The experimental results showed that: from the view-point of solvent removal process, the extraction temperature should be selected higher than 50℃; dry in tension is better than dry in relaxed form when the extraction temperature is similar; with increasing concentration, the critical draw ratio and strength of fiber gradually reduced,when extracting-drying processes is similar. The maximum draw ratios of the fiber was achieved when the extraction was carried out at 60℃.With the increase in the concentration of UHMWPE gels, the critical draw ratio and strength of fiber gradually reduced, and the crystallinity was gradually enhanced. From the images of SEM, we found that with the increase of the concentration, the voids between fibrils in the polymer network become smaller and more densely distributed.