Preparation and characterization of MWCNT/ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene composite fiber

MWCNT/Ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (MWCNT/UHMWPE) composite was prepared by adding purified MWCNTs into the precursor solution of UHMWPE. Based on that, MWCNT/UHMWPE fibers were obtained using a gel spinning-molding technique. The thermal, mechanical and aggregation structure of MWCNT/UHMWPE fibers were characterized by TGA, mechanical property measurement and XRD, respectively. The results indicated the incorporation of MWCNTs into UHMWPE macromolecular chains have not change the aggregation structure of UHMWPE significantly, and the as-prepared MWCNT/UHMWPE fibers have evidently improved thermal stability and mechanical strength compared with the pristine UHMWPE fibers.