Crosslinking modification of UHMWPE fibers by ultra-violet irradiation

By means of ultra-violet (UV) irradiation with photoinitiator and multifunc tional crosslinking agent, the crosslinking modification of ultrahigh molec ular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers prepared by gel spinning was perfo rmed. Thermal and mechanical properties of fiber samples were examined usin g differential scanning calorimeter, thermomechanical analysis apparatus an d tensile tester, the gel content of fibers was measured by a standard devi ce, the fiber surface was examined by scanning electron microscope. The res ults indicate that the optimal irradiation time is I to 2 hours. The modifi ed fiber can then preserve its original mechanical properties, or may have better behavior, meanwhile, such fibers have improved heat- and creep-resis tant behaviors.