Non-solvent processing for robust but thin membranes of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

Abstract

Robust and thin membranes of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) were obtained from a commercial powder material via a melt-drawing technique without any solvent treatment. A combination of rolling and compressing successfully erases the powder boundaries within the initial films, which gives a defect-free structure in a biaxially melt-drawn membrane. The resultant tensile strength was improved up to 90 MPa, but the membrane thickness could be reduced to 6 μm. Such membrane robustness and thinning are achieved by extended chain crystallization induced during biaxial melt-drawing.