Ultra-high-modulus linear polyethylene through controlled molecular weight and drawing

Recent work is presented on the plastic deformation of linear polyethylenes. This work demonstrates the importance of molecular weight and initial morphology in determining the drawing behavior, and shows that by appropriate choice of these two factors a substantial increase in draw ratio and hence stiffness can be achieved over conventionally-oriented polyethylenes. Under optimum conditions a modulus of approximately 700 Kbar was obtained at a draw ratio of ∼30. These very high modulus materials displayed an extensibility to break of at least 3 percent and a strength of about 4 Kbar. In some cases they also exhibited very high melting points (∼139°C) and exceptionally good thermal stability.