Gel-spun polyethylene fibres. Part 2. Influence of polymer concentration and molecular weight distribution on morphology and properties

In addition to spinning temperature, spinline stretching and spinning speed, the properties of gel-spun polyethylene fibres hot-drawn to the maximum draw ratio also depend on the polymer concentration, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. Reducing the polymer concentration reduces the number of entanglements, and fibres with better properties are obtained. However, a minimum number of entanglements is necessary to ensure sufficient coherence of the entanglement network and avoid premature breakage of the spinline. Therefore, an optimal concentration exists which is shown to shift to a lower value for polyethylene with a smaller molecular weight distribution. Fibres with a tensile strength exceeding 6 GPa and a modulus of about 160 GPa can be prepared as long as spinline stretching is avoided. A smaller molecular weight distribution enhances the deteriorating effect of spinline stretching. The difference in morphologies for as-spun fibres prepared from different gel compositions and under different spinning conditions also strongly affects the cold-drawing behaviour of the extracted as-spun fibres