Process for the production of polymer materials
AssigneeNational Research Development Corporation
InventorsGiancarlo Capaccio, Ian M. Ward
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high modulus polymer material is produced by subjecting a crystallisable polymer to a thermal treatment under conditions such that the possibility that a given molecular chain is incorporated in more than one crystal lamella is substantially reduced and then attenuating the polymer at an imposed rate and temperature whereby substantially complete alignment of its molecules may be obtained.
Claims15
A process for the production of a high modulus polymer material which comprises quenching a crystallizable polymer selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, ethylene copolymers containing at least 95% by weight of ethylene, and polyoxymethylene having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of less than 300,000 and a ratio of Mw to number average molecular weight (Mn) less than 30 from a temperature at or above its melting point to a temperature at or close to its crystallization temperature;
- maintaining the polymer at the temperature for a time sufficient to allow crystallization to occur;
- and then attenuating the polymer at a temperature below its melting point at a rate such that the deformation ratio (the ratio of the final length to the initial length) is at least 15.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.