The rheology, solid state drawability, morphology, and mechanical properties of polyethylene blends containing ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) and linear-low molecular weight polyethylene waxes (PEwax) are explored. Addition of PEwax enables melt processing of UHMW-PE and improves solid state drawability, providing opportunities in recycling of UHMW-PE waste. Small angle X-ray scattering results show that both PEwax and UHMW-PE align fully in the drawing direction, irrespective whether the PEwax has an Mn below or above the critical molecular weight at which entanglements can form (Mc). Tensile moduli of drawn specimen are in accordance to the Irvine–Smith model confirming that both UHMW-PE and PEwax align in the drawing direction and no chain slip occurs toward zero strain and both UHMW-PE and PEwax fractions, irrespective of their molecular weight, contribute fully to the modulus. Tensile strength of the blends scales according to the rule of mixtures where PEwax below Mc scale toward zero and those above Mc do contribute to the tensile strength. Modulus hence can be regarded as insensitive to the molecular weight of the PEwax used, whereas strength does show to be sensitive to the molecular weight of the PEwax.

中文翻译：

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使用低分子量线性聚乙烯的可熔融加工 UHMW-PE 基纤维的加工和性能

探讨了含有超高分子量聚乙烯 (UHMW-PE) 和线性低分子量聚乙烯蜡 (PEwax) 的聚乙烯共混物的流变学、固态拉伸性、形态和机械性能。添加 PE 蜡可实现 UHMW-PE 的熔融加工并提高固态可拉伸性，为 UHMW-PE 废料的回收提供机会。小角 X 射线散射结果表明 PE 蜡和 UHMW-PE 都在拉伸方向上完全排列，而不管 PE 蜡的 Mn 是低于还是高于可形成缠结的临界分子量 (Mc)。拉伸试样的拉伸模量符合 Irvine-Smith 模型，证实 UHMW-PE 和 PEwax 都在拉伸方向上对齐，并且不会发生链向零应变以及 UHMW-PE 和 PEwax 分数的滑移，无论它们的分子量如何，都完全有助于模量。共混物的拉伸强度根据混合物的规则而变化，其中低于 Mc 的 PEwax 比例为零，而高于 Mc 的 PE 蜡确实有助于拉伸强度。因此，可以认为模量对所用 PE 蜡的分子量不敏感，而强度确实对 PE 蜡的分子量敏感。