Surface physics, thin films

Monolithization of UHMWPE reactor powders

Yu. M. Boiko^a, A. K. Borisov^a, D. V. Grankin^b, E. M. Ivan'kova^c, V. A. Marikhin^a, L. P. Myasnikova^a, V. L. Preobrazhenskii^d, E. I. Radovanova^a, V. I. Siklitsky^a, T. D. Shidlovskii^a, M. M. Tsygankov<sup>a

a</sup> Ioffe Institute, St. Petersburg
^b Gwint Consulting Inc. Toronto, Canada, Reno / USA
^c Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg
^d Connector Optics LLC, St. Petersburg

Abstract: The possibility of obtaining mechanically coherent films (precursors for subsequent strain hardening) from reactor powders of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) synthesized on supported modified Ziegler–Natt and metallocene catalysts was studied. The compaction pressure at room temperature, as well as the temperature and duration of compact sintering were varied. A comprehensive study of the fine structure of powders, their thermophysical properties, molecular mobility in surface nanolayers, and changes during monolithization under various temperature-time conditions was conducted. It is shown that in the found optimal mode, UHMWPE powders synthesized on a Ziegler-Natt catalyst are better compacted and sintered than UHMWPE powders synthesized on a metallocene catalyst. However it is a preliminary conclusion. This is only a preliminary conclusion. More statistical data is needed.

Keywords: reactor powder, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, compaction/sintering, plasma-induced thermoluminescence, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, precursors for strain hardening.

Received: 14.07.2025
Revised: 16.07.2025
Accepted: 17.07.2025

DOI: 10.61011/FTT.2025.08.61335.195-25

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