Novel nanostructured polymeric composites of polycaprolactone and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene via a supercritical-fluid route

A supercritical-fluid process for creating blends of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and biodegradable polycaprolactone is described. These are unobtainable by conventional blending methods or solvents. Spherical crystallites of polycaprolactone (see Figure, light-colored circles) are observable in the blend embedded in the polyethylene matrix (darker background).