Improving visible-light transparency of drawn melt-crystallized linear polyethylenes: influence of molecular weight distribution

L. Shen, J. Severn, C.W.M. Bastiaansen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A series of drawn melt-crystallized linear polyethylenes (LPEs) with different molecular weight distributions (MWD = Mw/Mn) ranging from 2 to 25 are investigated with respect to the visible-light transparency. The results indicate that the MWD of the LPEs significantly influences the visible-light transparency of drawn melt-crystallized LPEs. At a high MWD, drawn melt-crystallized LPEs films are transparent and glass-like, this in contrast to the LPEs with a low MWD. A mechanism behind the observed results is proposed based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, small-angle X-ray scattering, wide-angle X-ray scattering, and small-angle light scattering experiments. A correlation between the molecular characteristics, especially the MWD, and the visible-light transparency of the drawn melt-crystallized LPEs is proposed. (Figure presented.).

Original languageEnglish
Article number1700003
Number of pages7
JournalMacromolecular Materials and Engineering
Volume302
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2017

Keywords

  • drawing
  • linear polyethylenes
  • molecular weight distribution
  • transparency

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Improving visible-light transparency of drawn melt-crystallized linear polyethylenes: influence of molecular weight distribution'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this