Crystallographic texture evolution in ultra high molecular weight polyethylene during uniaxial tension

The crystallographic texture evolution of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) subjected to different strains (up to engineering strains of 3.00) under uniaxial tension is presented in this work. A somewhat linear polyethylene with 60% crystalline region and 40% amorphous region has been used in this study. Wide angle X-ray diffraction has been utilized to study the crystallographic texture of the undeformed and deformed UHMWPE samples with the help of pole figures. The texture components of the undeformed and deformed UHMWPE samples have been presented using the orientation distribution functions (ODFs). The texture evolved with the increase in the strain deformation of the samples. Texture components have been observed to change with elongation as well as with ODFs plotted at different rotations. (001)[010] texture component is present in the ODFs of all the samples indicating that this component certainly contributes to the mechanical properties of the samples.

Automated summary

This study presents the crystallographic texture evolution of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) under uniaxial tension with different strains. The results show that the texture components change with the increase in strain and the (001)[010] texture component plays an important role in the mechanical properties of the samples.