Development of surface properties of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene film using side-chain crystalline block copolymers

Abstract

AbstractUltra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been widely used in industry; however, the applications for UHMWPE are limited because of low hydrophilic and adhesive properties. Herein, we developed the surface properties of UHMWPE by using side-chain crystalline block copolymers (SCCBCs), which consist of a side-chain crystalline unit and a functional unit. This process only required immersing the UHMWPE film in the diluted SCCBC solution, which enabled the UHMWPE surface to be coated homogeneously. The results of the contact angle and tensile shear test showed that the surface of UHMWPE modified with SCCBC was improved in hydrophilicity and adhesive properties. In addition, high adhesion strength was measured on UHMWPE surfaces dipped in a SCCBC solution at high temperature with the UHMWPE film becoming elongated at all parts other than the adhesion contact area.