DEMONSTRATIONS

Polymer Processing

Polymer processing: Entanglements

In this video the effect of molecular entanglements on the solution-behaviour and flow will be shown.

part-1: Shows the removal of entanglements (molecular contacts) by dissolving ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE), M > 3 million gram/mole, in xylene, 1% solution w./v.

The dis-entangled state is fixated by crystallization.

part-2: Ultra-drawing of a dis-entangled UHMW-PE film obtained as explained in part-1.

part-3: Low-T polymerization of ethylene resulting in dis-entangled polymer crystals which can be super-drawn.

part-4: Solvent-removal from as-spun UHMW-PE fibers.

This video demonstrates the removal of solvents from as-spun UHMW-PE fibers. The solvent from the ‘wet’ fibers is removed by steam at elevated pressures. In this way the drawing and solvent-removal is performed in one single step. By choosing the right pressure(s) the optimum drawing temperatures can be chosen.

What is shown in the video is a demo-pilotplant at MAE company in Fiorenzuola , a company with ample expertise in steam technology. Plempolco BV and MAE company developed together the technology to remove the solvent(s) from as-spun UHMW-PE fibers and to fully recover the solvent/steam mixtures.

In the case of volatile solvents, the solvent is recovered by simple condensation (cooling);
In the case of non-volatile solvent e.g. natural oils, like peanut oil, the solvent is expelled in the steam oven to the surface of the fibers and can be recovered mechanically

The technology is protected by patents, e.g. US20130241105A1.