What is it about?
Crystallization and stress relaxation behaviors of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been investigated in this study. Compared with UHMWPE, crystallinity of the UHMWPE/CNT composites significantly increases from 71.95 to 82.92% while crystallization activation energy decreases from 679.4 to 535.8 KJ/mol. CNTs as the nucleating agent changes the nucleation type of UHMWPE from homogenous to heterogeneous and accelerates the nucleation and growing of crystalline grains. Above crystallization changes also affect the mechanical properties of the UHMWPE/CNTs composites. Stress relaxation testing indicates that the relaxation stability of UHMWPE/CNT composites increases while the relaxation rate decreases.
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Why is it important?
The usage of UHMWPE in some demanding applications has been limited due to various constraints such as its low load bearing capacity and thermal instability. Addition of reinforcements such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is one approach to overcoming these constraints.
Perspectives
Stress relaxation is an important mechanical index and is closely correlated with the service life of an engineering material. This study will provide meaningful reference for the production and usage of the UHMWPE.
Guoqing Zhang
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Crystallization and stress relaxation behaviors of UHMWPE/CNT fibers, Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology, May 2016, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/vnl.21557.
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