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ULTRA-HIGH STRENGTH UHMW PE FIBERS AND PRODUCTS

  • US 20110269359A1
  • Filed: 06/30/2011
  • Published: 11/03/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A fiber comprising ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE) having a tenacity of at least about 45 g/denier (40.5 g/dtex) and a tensile modulus of at least about 1400 g/denier, said fiber being produced by a process comprising the steps of:

  • a) feeding a slurry that comprises an UHMW PE polymer and a spinning solvent to an extruder to produce a liquid mixture, the UHMW PE polymer having an intrinsic viscosity in decalin at 135°

    C. of at least about 30 dl/g;

    or feeding the UHMW PE polymer and spinning solvent into an extruder and forming both a slurry and a liquid mixture inside the extruder;

    b) passing the liquid mixture through a heated vessel to form a homogeneous solution comprising the UHMW PE polymer and the spinning solvent;

    c) providing the solution from the heated vessel to a spinneret to form a solution fiber;

    d) drawing the solution fiber that issues from the spinneret at a draw ratio of from about 1.1;

    1 to about 30;

    1 to form a drawn solution fiber;

    e) cooling the drawn solution fiber to a temperature below the gel point of the UHMW PE polymer to form a gel fiber;

    f) drawing the gel fiber in one or more stages at a first draw ratio DR1 of from about 1.1;

    1 to about 30;

    1;

    g) drawing the gel fiber at a second draw ratio DR2;

    h) removing spinning solvent from the gel fiber in a solvent removal device to form a dry fiber;

    i) drawing the dry fiber at a third draw ratio DR3 in at least one stage to form a partially oriented fiber;

    j) transferring the partially oriented fiber to a post drawing operation; and

    k) drawing the partially oriented fiber at a post drawing temperature in the post drawing operation to a fourth draw ratio DR4 of from about 1.8;

    1 to about 15;

    1 to form a highly oriented fiber product having a tenacity of at least about 45 g/denier (40.5 g/dtex).

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