Abstract: A new extrusion technique, solid state extrusion was adopted for molding ultra high molecular weight polyethylene(PE-UHMW). The product by solid state extrusion was smoother, more transparent, and with a higher density than those based on regular extrusion. The microstructure of the products were studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the effects of extrusion temperature and extrusion draw ratio on products’ thermal property were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that a large quantity of micro-fiber was produced in the products of solid state extrusion. Compared with those by regular extrusion, it possessed a greater degree of molecular orientation, higher degree of crystallinity, and higher melting point. Besides, the tensile strength and modulus increased by 4 and 40 times based on regular extrusion ones.

Key words: ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, solid state extrusion, tensile strength, elastic modulus