|
|
|
|
 |
Development of high strength PE Fiber for ballistic applications by process modification |
 |
|
| |
Polymeric fibers play a very important role in ballistic applications. High strength polyethylene (PE) fiber with tensile modulus in excess of 30 GPa and tensile strength about 1000 MPa has been developed. These include PE fibers such as Spectra and Dyneema, aramid fibers such as Kevlar and Twaron, PBO fibers such as Zylon.
There are two main routes to produce PE fibers, i.e. melt spinning and solution or gel spinning. The latter involves ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and a large amount of solvent in the production. Because of the very high molecular weight of the material, fiber with very high modulus and strength in excess of 70 GPa and 2.7 GPa, has been produced and marketed. However, the fiber produced from this method is very expensive. Melt spinning, although appropriate to material with lower molecular weight, is an attractive alternative. No solvent is required in the fiber production. The process is therefore much less expensive and also more environmental friendly. PE fiber produced by melt spinning is commercially available and has been around for quite a long time. This fiber has rather low modulus and strength in the region of 4-6 GPa and 400-500 MPa.
A new study conducted by scientists from Mahidol University, Thailand has shown that PE fiber of high modulus and strength can be produced by melt spinning process. The process modification was the key to this development. A very high draw down was used along with a blend of two different PE materials. To produce stronger fibers, polyethylene needs to be drawn to very high draw ratio exceeding that used in conventional fiber production. It is the objective of the project to develop high strength from local materials. Targeted fiber should have modulus in excess of 30 GPa and tensile strength of about 1000 MPa.
|
|
| | | | | | |
{{comment.DateTimeStampDisplay}}
{{comment.Comments}}