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Recent Advances in UHMWPE Fiber Technology

Falguni Gudekar - (BTRA, Mumbai)

BTRA Scan – Vol. LV No.2 , April, 2026, Page no. 15-24 DOI: DOI: 10.70225/614767yxodce
Keywords: Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); Gel spinning; Twin-screw extrusion; L/D ratio; Sustainable solvents; Supercritical CO₂.

Abstract

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) remains a flagship material among high-performance polyolefins,yet its future is increasingly governed by the competing demands of large-scale manufacturability and environmental responsibility. This review surveys recent advances in UHMWPE fiber processing with an emphasis on the transition from conventional batch dissolution to continuous, high-throughput twin-screw extrusion (TSE) routes for gel-spinning dopes. Particular attention is given to the impact of ultra-long screw length-to-diameter (L/D) configurations (up to 136), which markedly promote chain disentanglement and have been shown to deliver gains in tensile strength approaching 150% and increases in gel crystallinity of roughly 50% relative to standard industrial L/D ≈ 36 designs. In parallel, we critically assess emerging “green” processing strategies, including the adoption of bio-derived terpene solvents and supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂)–based extraction and washing schemes. Reported scCO₂ washing protocols reduce global warming potential by a factor of about 2.4 and cut overall carbon footprint by more than half compared with conventional n-hexane extraction. By integrating insights from polymer physics with process engineering and life-cycle considerations, this review benchmarks these developments against incumbent commercial UHMWPE fibers such as Dyneema® and Spectra®,and outlines prospective directions for next-generation high-tenacity fibers in marine, defense, and biomedical applications.

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