A structural model for high‐modulus polyethylene derived from entanglement concepts

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Abstract
Starting from the concept that the entanglement network is a controlling factor in polymer deformation, a molecularly based model has been constructed for polyethylene, drawn or extruded to high extension ratios λ. It predicts the experimentally observed form of the increase of Young's modulus E with λ: E−1 = B + Cλ−2. The model structure consists of imperfect crystalline microfibrils 10‐30 nm in diameter and length αλ2, about 1 μm at λ = 30. The microfibrils terminate at clusters of entanglements, and are embedded in a matrix of low modulus. This structure is very similar to that derived from solution‐grown shish‐kebab material. Available melting‐point data for highly extended material fit the structural model well.

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