Methods for increasing the thermal conductivity of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)

Abstract

A two-part study was conducted to determine methods for producing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with high thermal conductivity by way of polymer chain orientation. The first portion of this report surveys current research involving polyethylene chain orientation and manufacturing. This section includes analysis of shish-kebab morphology, past polymer thermal studies, self-reinforcement studies, manufacturing techniques, and experimental techniques for low thermal conductivity materials. The second portion reviews the results of an experiment conducted to test the feasibility of stretched thermoforming of UHMW-polyethylene. Sheets of UHMWPE were stretched and tested for anisotropy in thermal conductivity. For samples with draw ratios of X 10, anisotropy in thermal conductivity was observed to increase. These results show potential for future development of this proposed methodology.