Method for Producing Porous Articles from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

摘要

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) polymers that have an average molecular weight of at least 500,000 g/mol and an enthalpy of at least 190 J/g is provided. The UHMWPE polymer may include at least one comonomer. The UHMWPE polymer is used to form a membrane, that, when expanded, has a node and fibril structure. The UHMWPE membrane has an endotherm of about 150° C. associated with the fibrils in the membrane. The membrane has a percent porosity of at least 25%, and in exemplary embodiments, the percent porosity is at least 60%. Additionally, the UHMWPE membrane has a thickness less than 1 mm. An UHMWPE membrane may be formed by lubricating the UHMWPE polymer, subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the UHMWPE polymer to form a tape, and expanding the tape at a temperature below the melting temperature of the UHMWPE polymer.

主权项

1. A process for making a porous ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) membrane comprising:
lubricating an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene polymer having a molecular weight of at least about 500,000 g/mol to form a lubricated polymer; subjecting said lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below a first melt temperature of said ultra high molecular weight polyethylene polymer to form a tape; and expanding said tape at a temperature below the melt temperature of said ultra high molecular weight polyethylene polymer to form a porous membrane having structure of nodes interconnected by fibrils.