אבנר רונן

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. It was experimentally determined the influence of concentration and electrical conductivity of UHMWPE solutions on the diameter of electrospun fibers. 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 naiiocomposite yarn with improved properties.