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