Crystallite sizes and lattice distortions of gel-spun ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers

Abstract

A detailed method is reported for deriving the lattice distortions and crystallite sizes of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers employing a full wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) pattern. The predominant crystals are orthorhombic form and the refined unit cell dimensions for a and b are 7.40(±0.03) and 4.94(+0.03) Å, respectively. The average crystallite size normal to 110 planes was found to be in the range of 163-182 Å. The microstrain lattice distortion was predominant in the gel-spun UHMWPE fibers, with the lattice constant variation of 0.5%.