The drawing behavior of linear polyethylene. I. Rate of drawing as a function of polymer molecular weight and initial thermal treatment

The drawing behavior of a series of linear polyethylene homopolymers with weight-average molecular weight (M?_w) ranging from 67,800 to ～3,500,000 and variable distribution (M?_w/M?_n = 5.1?20.9) has been studied. Sheets were prepared by two distinct routes: either by quenching the molten polymer into cold water or by slow cooling below the crystallization temperature (～120°C) followed by quenching into cold water. When the samples (2 cm long) were drawn in air at 75°C using a crosshead speed of 10 cm/min it was found that for low M?_w polymers the initial thermal treatment has a dramatic effect on the rate at which the local deformation proceeds in the necked region. At high M?_w such effects are negligible. An important result was that comparatively high draw ratios (λ > 17) and correspondingly high Young's moduli could be obtained for a polymer with M?_w as high as 312,000. It is shown how some of the structural features of the initial materials (mainly studied by optical microscopy, small-angle x-ray scattering and low-frequency laser Raman spectroscopy) can be interpreted in terms of the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymers. Although crystallization and morphology can be important at low M?_w, it suggested that the concept of a molecular network which embraces both crystalline and noncrystalline material is more helpful in understanding the drawing behavior over the whole range of molecular weights.     

The effect of drawing on the transport of gases through polyethylene

A study has been made of the gas transport properties of polyethylene films of two different grades, Hizex 7000F and Rigidex 002-55, one-way drawn at 115°C to draw ratios in the range 1–20. Measurements of the permeability and diffusion coefficients of helium, oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen have been made with a dynamic flow rate technique, utilizing a mass spectrometer detection system, and of oxygen using a commercial OXTRAN system. The samples were characterized by the measurement of density, birefringence and modulus and by wide-angle x-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. There is a large decrease in both the permeability and diffusion coefficients for all gases with increasing polymer draw ratio, with up to an 80-fold decrease in permeability for the larger permeants compared with the 10-fold decrease observed for helium. The solubilities of all the gases decrease only by a factor of ～ 2. The diffusion results are discussed in terms of geometric impedance and chain immobilization factors. The solubilities, on the other hand, appear to relate primarily to the amorphous volume fraction of the polymer. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Nonisothermal crystallization behavior, and morphology of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/polyethylene glycol copolymers

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/polyethylene glycol (PTT/PEG) copolymers, with PEG content ranging from 27.2 to 47.4 wt%, were synthesized by melt copolycondensation. Wide-Angle X-ray diffractometer revealed that all copolymers had the same crystal structure of homo-PTT at room temperature. All copolymers could form ring-banded spherulites, and band spacing increased with increasing PEG content at a given crystallization temperature. Nonisothermal crystallization morphology of copolymers was greatly influenced by cooling rate. When the cooling rate was 2.5 °C/min or lower, banded patterns were absent, whereas when the cooling rate was 20 °C/min or higher, a novel crystal morphology composed of non-banded spherulites (central part) and ring-banded spherulites with decreasing band spacing along the radial growth direction was observed. Moreover, the size of the non-banded spherulitic part decreased with increasing cooling rate. Finally, the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of copolymers were analyzed and only the Mo method was satisfactory to accurately describe this system.     

Properties of polyethylene before and after cold drawing

Summary Polyethylene at room temperature and at moderate rates of deformation fails in a tough manner, that is to say it fails in shear. This mode of response to an energy input is a principal and characteristic attribute of the liquid state and manifests itself as viscous flow. This is true even if the stress system is one of nominal uniaxial tension. By subjecting suitable specimens of polyethylene to various rates of elongation and hence to varying shear rates and noting the maximum (yield) stress developed in each case it is therefore possible, by plotting yeld stress vs. draw rate, to determine the tensile viscosity of the undrawn polymer in the neck region. experimental results indicated that a log-log plot gave a fair linear relationship and that the Power Law applies. This makes it possible to calculate the zero-shear-rate viscosity and the power index of the polymer and to predict the yield stress for a given strain rate. It is, however, recognized that isothermal conditions do not in fact exist and that this method must therefore be regarded as an approximation valid only for relatively low strain where the development of frictional heat is not excessive, unless further assumptions can reasonably be made.A successful attempt has been made to correlate the instantaneous recovery after draw with the crystallinity of the polyethylene rods.

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Zusammenfassung Bei Raumtemperatur und bei mäßiger Zugdehnungsgeschwindigkeit reagiert das Polyäthylen in zäher Art. Dies bedeutet, daß ein Scherungsmechanismus bei der Zugdehnung vorliegt. Diese Reaktion auf einen Energie-einsatz its ein charakteristisches Zeichen für viskosen Fluß, welcher auch für das vorliegende nominell einachsige Zugdehnungssystem gilt. Wenn man nun geeignete proben von Polyäthylenen bei verschiedenen Geschwindigkeiten der Zugdehnung unterwirft und di maximale-Zugspannung abliest, welche bei dem Nachgeben (yield) entwickelt wird, dann ist es möglich, durch Auftragen von Maximal-Zugspannung gegen Zugdehnungsgeschwindigkeit die Zugviskosität des Polymeren in der Schulterregion der kaltziehenden Probe zu bestimmen. Die Versuchsresultate gaben ziemlich gute Geraden im log-log Auftrag, so daß das Potenzgesetz gilt. Dies ermöglichte die Berechnung der Viskosität bei Null-Zugdehnungsgeschwindigkeit wie auch der charakteristischen Potenzkennzahl, wonach die für Nachgeben der Probe notwendige Zugspannung bei beliebiger (doch nicht allzu großer) Zugdehnungsgeschwindigkeit bestimmt werden kann. Es its dabei zu bedenken, daß diese Methode wegen erheblicher Wärmeentwicklung nur bei mäßigen Zugdehnungsgeschwingdigkeiten eingesetzt werden kann, da die durch Scherung entwickelte Wärme sonst nicht als vernachlässigbar klein angesehen werden kann.Es wurde ein erfolgreicher Versuch gemacht, die Sofort-Rückschnellung nach Kaltzug mit der Kristallinität des Polyäthylens in quantitativen Zusammenhang zu bringen.

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With 8 tables     

The phase behavior of polyethylene ring chains

The equilibrium properties of an isolated polyethylene ring chain are studied by using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results of an 80-bond linear chain are also presented, which are in agreement with previous studies of square-well chains and Lennard-Jones (LJ) homopolymers. Mainly, we focus on the collapse of polyethylene ring chains. At high temperatures, a fully oblate structure is observed for the ring chains with different chain lengths. For such an oblate structure, a shape factor of delta(*)=0.25 and a rodlike scaling relation between the radius of gyration and chain lengths could be deduced easily in theory, and the same results are obtained by our MD simulations. Such an oblate structure can be obtained by Monte Carlo simulation only for sufficient stiff ring chains. When the temperature decreases, an internal energy barrier is observed. This induces a strong peak in the heat capacity, denoting a gas-liquid-like transition. This energy barrier comes mainly from the local monomer-monomer interactions, i.e., the bond-stretching, the bond-bending, and the torsion potentials. A low temperature peak is also observed in the same heat capacity curve, representing a liquid-solid-like transition. These numerical simulation results support a two-stage collapse of polyethylene ring chains; however, the nature should be different from the square-well and LJ ring chains.     

Effects of molecular characteristics and processing conditions on melt‐drawing behavior of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

The effects of molecular characteristics and processing conditions on melt‐drawing behavior of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW‐PE) are discussed, based on a combination of in situ X‐ray measurement and stress–strain behavior. The sample films of metallocene‐ and Ziegler‐catalyzed UHMW‐PEs with a similar viscosity average MW of ～10⁷ were prepared by compression molding at 180 °C. Stress profiles recorded at 160 °C above the melting temperature of 135 °C exhibited a plateau stress region for both films. The relative change in the intensities of the amorphous scattering recorded on the equator and on the meridian indicated the orientation of amorphous chains along the draw axis with increasing strain. However, there was a substantial difference in the subsequent crystallization into the hexagonal phase, reflecting the molecular characteristics, that is, MW distribution of each sample film. Rapid crystallization into the hexagonal phase occurred at the beginning point of the plateau stress region in melt‐drawing for metallocene‐catalyzed UHMW‐PE film. In contrast, gradual crystallization into the hexagonal phase occurred at the middle point of the plateau stress region for the Ziegler‐catalyzed film, suggesting an ease of chain slippage during drawing. These results demonstrate that the difference in the MW distribution due to the polymerization catalyst system dominates the phase development mechanism during melt‐drawing. The effect of the processing conditions, that is, the including strain rate and drawing temperature, on the melt‐drawing behavior is also discussed. The obtained results indicate that the traditional temperature–strain rate relationship is effective for transient crystallization in to the hexagonal phase during melt‐drawing, as well as for typically oriented crystallization during ultradrawing in the solid state. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2455–2467, 2006     

Oxidation of polyethylene,polypropylene, and copolymers

This investigation of the autoxidation of ethylene–propylene copolymers and polyethylene–polypropylene mixtures was undertaken to determine whether reactivity is a linear function of composition. The copolymers and the mixtures were autoxidized in a trichlorobenzene solution at 100°C in the presence of 1,1′-azodicyclohexanecarbonitrile, and the rates of oxygen absorption were determined. The reactivity of the copolymers and the mixtures, after the underlying absorption of oxygen by initiator radicals is accounted for, is a nearly linear function of composition; however, the polymer mixtures and copolymers oxidized somewhat less readily than predicted by a straight line relationship. Several additional oxidations were performed on solutions of polypropylene so that the effects of initiation rate and substrate concentration could be evaluated. The oxidation kinetics of polypropylene even in dilute solution, are complex; titratable hydroperoxide yields are low. Further work will be required to specify the mechanism of oxidation.     

Coextrusion drawing of reactor powder of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

Certain nascent polymers have been shown to have unusual thermal and morphological properties that are irretrievably lost once the polymer has been melted or otherwise reduced to the isotropic state. We show further that nascent ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene “reactor powder” exhibits a remarkable ductility when uniaxially drawn by coextrusion techniques after initial compaction in film form at 100°C. When drawn at a temperature of 110°C, draw ratios of 56 have been obtained, resulting in an enhanced tensile modulus of 58 GPa. Thermal analyses and dynamic mechanical measurements were also made towards understanding the initial and final morphologies.     

Melt drawing as a route to high performance polyethylene

Well established routes for obtaining stiff and strong polyethylene (PE) involve solid state drawing either of solution crystallized gel films or melt crystallized spherulitic PE. The aim of this work is to show the potential of melt deformation as an alternative route for obtaining highly oriented products. Our previous work on the melt deformation route showed that oriented PE fibers could be directly extruded under appropriately controlled conditions [8,9]. Here, we show that PE films (or filaments) can also be melt drawn in the temperature window 130–160 °C, thus yielding oriented products. The advantage of melt drawing over direct melt extrusion is that it allows a wider operational latitude and thus does not require such carefully controlled conditions.The morphology produced by melt deformation is different from solid state deformation and consists of extended chain fibrils with platelet overgrowths. The relative amount of fibrils and platelets depends on operating parameters. The temperature window of PE melt drawing is identified with the regime where some flow induced crystallization takes place. The conditions for melt drawability are of wider generality for crystallizable flexible chain polymers. They are: (i) adequate strain rate to overcome entropie resistance to chain extension, (ii) but not high enough to activate the elastic response of the transient networks in the entangled system, (iii) sufficient strain to fully extend the chain, (iv) appropriate temperature for flow-induced crystallization and strain hardening, and (v) cooling to freeze the oriented structure.Ultra high molecular weight PEs were not the most suitable for melt drawing due to their high recoverable elongation in the melt (melt elasticity) in addition to added limitations imposed by their nascent grain systeme. Our work suggests that an optimum molecular weight for melt drawing is¯M _w(400–900)×10³ with further possibilities for improvement through multimodal distributions.     

Functionalization of polyethylene/silane copolymers in posttreatment reactions

7‐Octenyldimethylphenylsilane was copolymerized with ethylene via Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ methylaluminoxane catalyst system without loss of catalyst activity or decrease in molar mass. The comonomer contents in the polymer samples were at a level of 0.15–1.0 mol % and the reactive phenylsilane groups were posttreated to different alcoxy‐ and halosilane groups, for example, Si? F, Si? Cl, Si? OCH₃, and Si? OCH₂CH₃. The posttreatment reactions had no major effect on the molar masses or on the thermal properties (measured with differential scanning calorimetry) of the copolymers. The reaction pathways were nearly independent of the comonomer contents and the reactions reached 70–100% conversions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1461–1467, 2004     

Surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate using PEO-polybutadiene-PEO triblock copolymers

The initial step of thrombus formation on blood-contacting biomaterials is known to be adsorption of blood proteins followed by platelet adhesion. It is generally accepted that surface modification of the biomaterials with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) substantially reduces protein adsorption and cell adhesion. Dacron® (polyethylene terephthalate) fabric, which is one of the biomaterials commonly used in blood-contacting devices, was grafted with PEO. A simple two-step procedure for covalent grafting of PEO onto the surface of Dacron® fabric was used. The surface was first treated with PEO-polybutadiene-PEO (PEO-PB-PEO) triblock copolymer, to introduce a layer of double bonds onto the surface. The Dacron® surface was then exposed to a solution of Pluronic® F108 (PF108), a commercially available PEO-poly(propylene oxide)-PEO (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymer. The surface with two adsorbed layers of PEO-PB-PEO and PF108 was γ-irradiated in the presence of PF108 in the bulk solution for a total radiation dose of 0.8 Mrad. The bulk concentrations of PEO-PB-PEO and PF108 were varied to maximize the efficiency of PEO grafting. Fibrinogen adsorption on PEO-grafted surfaces was reduced more than 90%, compared with that on control surfaces, irrespective of the bulk concentrations of polymers used for grafting. Platelet adhesion was also reduced substantially by PEO grafting. Only a few round platelets were able to adhere to the PEO-grafted surface, while the control surface was fully covered with aggregates of activated platelets. PEO grafting on polyethylene terephthalate using PEO-PB-PEO and PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers is a simple approach that can be used for various other biomaterials.     

Graft copolymers of polyethylene by atom transfer radical polymerization

Poly(ethylene‐g‐styrene) and poly(ethylene‐g‐methyl methacrylate) graft copolymers were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Commercially available poly(ethylene‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate) was converted into ATRP macroinitiators by reaction with chloroacetic acid and 2‐bromoisobutyric acid, respectively, and the pendant‐functionalized polyolefins were used to initiate the ATRP of styrene and methyl methacrylate. In both cases, incorporation of the vinyl monomer into the graft copolymer increased with extent of the reaction. The controlled growth of the side chains was proved in the case of poly(ethylene‐g‐styrene) by the linear increase of molecular weight with conversion and low polydispersity (M_w /M_n < 1.4) of the cleaved polystyrene grafts. Both macroinitiators and graft copolymers were characterized by ¹H NMR and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2440–2448, 2000     

Some properties of polyethylene terephthalate-acrylic acid copolymers and ionomers

Acrylic acid has been grafted to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by mutual irradiation, and the resulting copolymers converted to their sodium, calcium and lead salts. The electrical surface resistance of PET was reduced by grafting, the effect being most pronounced for the copolymer in the form of its sodium salt. The thermal stability of PET was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis, and activation energies were derived for the thermal decompositions; similar studies were made for the acidic and ionomeric copolymers. The stability of acidic copolymer was found to be lower than that of ungrafted PET; enhanced thermal stability was obtained only in the metallated copolymers.     

Denitrogenation of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers using polyethylene glycol/hydroxides

Alkaline hydrolysis of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers has been systematically investigated to demonstrate the use of reaction systems based on polyethylene glycol (PEG)/hydroxides for N-elimination from ABS. The structure of denitrogenated ABS has been characterized using elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹H-NMR, and solid state ¹³C CP-MAS NMR, indicating sequential hydrolysis as a plausible mechanism of elimination of N from ABS. The effects of reaction conditions such as solvent selection, reaction temperature, alkaline species and concentration, as well as PEG molecular weight were evaluated. At optimal conditions (THF, PEG600, 4.3 wt % of NaOH), as much as 93.1% of the original nitrogen content of ABS was removed in 2 h at 160 °C, while it is only 35.6% without PEG. This clearly demonstrates the high-efficiency of a PEG/hydroxides catalytic system for denitrogenation of ABS, stressing the potential of this method for denitrogenation of other N-containing polymers.     

Plastic deformation of polyethylene. I. Change of morphology during drawing of polyethylene of high density

The transformation of microspherulitic quenched and annealed polyethylene film into highly oriented drawn material with the characteristic fiber structure was investigated by small-angle and wide-angle x-ray measurements and by a study of the thermograms after the fuming nitric acid treatment. With the details of deformation depending slightly on the crystallinity, one observes generally a preferential tilt of the platelets against draw direction at draw ratios below 2. At least in annealed material, an increasing tilt of the molecule within the lamella is also observed, which leads at higher draw ratios to slipping of blocks in the crystallites. With further drawing a new fiber structure appears, which is practically independent of the thermal history of the original film. This fact is established by investigation of the crystal thickness by three different methods; investigations of small-angle scattering, study of the width of the (002) reflection, and investigation of the debris after treatment with fuming nitric acid.     

The preparation and properties of BAB block copolymers based on polyethylene sulphide and polyisoprene

Block copolymers of ethylene sulphide (B) and isoprene (A) have been prepared by anionic synthesis using alkali metal complexes of naphthalene as initiator. Two series of block copolymers have been synthesized, one (based on sodium naphthalenide as initiator) having high molecular weights and the other (based on lithium naphthalenide) having low molecular weights.Physical properties of the block copolymers as a function of composition, molecular weight and polyisoprene microstructure have been studied. Polymers containing high molecular weight polyethylene sulphide sequences were difficult to process without degradation. By lowering the molecular weight of the polyethylene sulphide segment, block copolymers of improved processibility were obtained.The centre block polyisoprene microstructure has been varied from 100% 1,2/3,4 configuration to 80% 1,4 configuration by preparing a “seed” polymer in tetrahydrofuran followed by solvent removal and replacement by hexane. Changes in microstructure affect low temperature flexibility, resilience and tensile strength of the block copolymer.The BAB block copolymers are biphasic and exhibit elastomeric properties with improved network stability compared with polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene ABA block copolymers.