Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
The electrospinning method was employed to fabricate extremely fine nanofibers of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) for the first time, using a mixture of solvents with different dielectric constant and conductivity. A novel experimental device for elevated temperature electrospinning of highly volatile and quickly crystallizing polymer solutions and melts was developed. The possibility to produce the highly oriented nanofibers from ultra-high molecular weight polymers suggests new ways for fabrication of ultra-strong, porous, surface modified fibers and single-component nanocomposite yarn with improved properties.