Hydrostatic extrusion of linear polyethylene: Effects of molecular weight and product diameter

Abstract

Abstract Oriented rods of linear polyethylene have been prepared by hydrostatic extrusion at 100°C. Materials having a range of different molecular weights were investigated and their behavior was found to correlate well with the melt flow index. The differences in extrusion process characteristics for large‐ and small‐diameter products are discussed. In this context the effect of deformational heating is important and criteria are suggested for determining its significance and also for determining the stability of the process in terms of a critical extrusion pressure.