High molecular weight polyethylene fibers and membranes, their production and use

摘要

In a process for producing an elongated polyethylene component, such as a fiber or membrane, polyethylene powder having a molecular weight of at least 3×105 g/mol as determined by ASTM 4020 is dissolved in a solvent to produce an extrudable solution. The solution is then extruded through a die to form an elongated component and at least part of said solvent is removed from the elongated component. The polyethylene powder used in the process is produced by polymerizing ethylene in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising a Group 4 metal complex of a phenolate ether ligand.

主权项

1. A process for producing an elongated polyethylene component, the process comprising:
(a) dissolving a polyethylene powder having a molecular weight of at least 3×105 g/mol as determined by ASTM 4020 in a solvent to produce an extrudable solution, (b) extruding said solution through a die to form an elongated component and (c) removing at least part of said solvent from said elongated component, wherein said polyethylene powder is produced by polymerizing ethylene in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising a Group 4 metal complex of a phenolate ether ligand, and wherein the polyethylene powder demonstrates a dissolution rate in decalin which is substantially independent of molecular weight.