Analyzing long-period structural evolution of biaxially stretched ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films
Abstract Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) films are widely used in high-performance applications due to their excellent mechanical properties. However, understanding the structural evolution, particularly the long-period structure under tensile fields, remains a challenge in both pr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Communications Materials |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00764-9 |
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| author | Hao Zhang Xincheng Xie Lin Da Yang Liu Caizhen Zhu Feng Tian Xiuhong Li Jian Xu |
| author_facet | Hao Zhang Xincheng Xie Lin Da Yang Liu Caizhen Zhu Feng Tian Xiuhong Li Jian Xu |
| author_sort | Hao Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) films are widely used in high-performance applications due to their excellent mechanical properties. However, understanding the structural evolution, particularly the long-period structure under tensile fields, remains a challenge in both practical use and processing. Here, we investigate the long-period structural evolution of biaxially stretched UHMWPE films under tensile fields using time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering. Our results reveal distinct changes in the long-period structure during the stretching process. Initially, the isotropic crystalline regions of UHMWPE align along the stretching direction, transitioning from a diffuse scattering pattern to an ellipsoidal one. As stretching progresses, fibrillar crystals form, dominating the scattering pattern with sharp, oriented features. In the later stages, fragmentation of the fibrillar structure leads to smaller crystalline regions and a butterfly-shaped scattering pattern due to rearranged lamellar structures. Based on these findings, we propose a new model that suggests a reverse transformation from fibrillar crystals to lamellar crystals, contrasting with the traditional “shish-kebab” model. The reduced crystallinity, as shown by differential scanning calorimetry data, further supports this structural transformation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-71e5cea7af30484faca0ed4e04c62582 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2662-4443 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Materials |
| spelling | doaj-art-71e5cea7af30484faca0ed4e04c625822025-08-20T01:57:45ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Materials2662-44432025-03-01611710.1038/s43246-025-00764-9Analyzing long-period structural evolution of biaxially stretched ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene filmsHao Zhang0Xincheng Xie1Lin Da2Yang Liu3Caizhen Zhu4Feng Tian5Xiuhong Li6Jian Xu7Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Low-dimensional Materials Genome Initiative, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering of Shenzhen UniversityShanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Low-dimensional Materials Genome Initiative, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering of Shenzhen UniversityAbstract Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) films are widely used in high-performance applications due to their excellent mechanical properties. However, understanding the structural evolution, particularly the long-period structure under tensile fields, remains a challenge in both practical use and processing. Here, we investigate the long-period structural evolution of biaxially stretched UHMWPE films under tensile fields using time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering. Our results reveal distinct changes in the long-period structure during the stretching process. Initially, the isotropic crystalline regions of UHMWPE align along the stretching direction, transitioning from a diffuse scattering pattern to an ellipsoidal one. As stretching progresses, fibrillar crystals form, dominating the scattering pattern with sharp, oriented features. In the later stages, fragmentation of the fibrillar structure leads to smaller crystalline regions and a butterfly-shaped scattering pattern due to rearranged lamellar structures. Based on these findings, we propose a new model that suggests a reverse transformation from fibrillar crystals to lamellar crystals, contrasting with the traditional “shish-kebab” model. The reduced crystallinity, as shown by differential scanning calorimetry data, further supports this structural transformation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00764-9 |
| spellingShingle | Hao Zhang Xincheng Xie Lin Da Yang Liu Caizhen Zhu Feng Tian Xiuhong Li Jian Xu Analyzing long-period structural evolution of biaxially stretched ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films Communications Materials |
| title | Analyzing long-period structural evolution of biaxially stretched ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films |
| title_full | Analyzing long-period structural evolution of biaxially stretched ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films |
| title_fullStr | Analyzing long-period structural evolution of biaxially stretched ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analyzing long-period structural evolution of biaxially stretched ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films |
| title_short | Analyzing long-period structural evolution of biaxially stretched ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films |
| title_sort | analyzing long period structural evolution of biaxially stretched ultra high molecular weight polyethylene films |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00764-9 |
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