Increasing the 'Natural' Draw Ratio by Hot Nip Drawing

摘要

The drawing of polymers into high strength films or tapes is an important process in industry. A method of local heating and drawing of plastic sheets into high strength films is discussed, and the preliminary results of this new technology are presented. Gel spinning is an excellent method for producing high strength fibers but has a number of inherent problems. Generally speaking, the technique is a high technology method requiring specific polymer molecular weights and distributions. In addition, extensive solvent removal schemes must be used, and the resulting cost for such polyolefin fibers is comparable to acid-spun high-temperature aromatic polyamides. In contrast, methods which avoid solvents typically produce materials with significantly lower mechanical properties and/or the rate of production does not offer much hope of being commercial in the foreseeable future. Reprints. (JES)