The effect of gelation time on UHMWPE sheet prepared by gel and pressure- induced flow processes

Abstract EN

An ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sheets were prepared using two steps, i.e.

gel processing by means of paraffin oil as a non-volatile solvent at different gelation times and controlled other conditions, followed by pressure induced flow process under specific pressure at the room temperature.

The remaining paraffin oil in the UHMWPE gel sheet was removed with volatile solvent during the extraction process.

The maximum achievable mechanical and physical properties were obtained when 5% UHMWPE gel sheet was processed at 48 hours gelation time, where the increase of UHMWPE concentration values increased consistently with the mechanical properties.

The effect of gelation time on the mechanical and physical properties of the gel sheets was investigated.

This effect was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical testing.

KEYWORDS: UHMWPE gel sheet; gelation time; gel process; PIF; mechanical properties.