MORPHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF POLYETHYLENE FIBER-REINFORCED POLYETHYLENE

The crystallisation behaviour and morphology of polyethylene-based sin gle polymer composites has been investigated by light microscopy and l ow voltage scanning electron microscopy techniques. The surface crysta ls on ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibres act as nucleatio n centres for the high density polyethylene matrix, which may result f rom epitaxial crystallisation. After crystallisation from the melt and independent of air-cooled or isothermal crystallisation conditions, a transcrystalline layer was found having lamellar crystals grown perpe ndicular to the fibre axis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.