Extrusion of self-reinforced polyethylene

Abstract

Along with conventionally extruded rods, self-reinforced polyethylene rods were continuously prepared using a conventional extruder equipped with a converging extrusion die. From the work, it is apparent that the self-reinforced rods showed elastic moduli nearly four times higher than that of conventionally extruded rods. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the morphology of the self-reinforced rod was fibrous and that the fibrils extended straight along the extrusion direction. Moreover, the self-reinforced rods melted at a higher temperature than the rods which had been prepared conventionally. The extrusion line as designed in this work seems to be suitable for self-reinforcement of polymers.