Material PropertiesElongational properties of low density polyethylene using melt spinning technique

The elongational properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE) melt were comprehensively measured using a melt spinning technique. The relationship between temperature and melt strength as well as between extensional viscosity and drawability were investigated with respect to the effects of extensional strain rate, temperature and extrusion velocity on the melt extensional stress and viscosity. The results showed that the melt strength decreased with a rise of temperature. A low melt extensional viscosity might be beneficial to improve the melt drawability. With increase of extensional strain rate, the extensional stress increased while the melt extension viscosity declined. Both the melt extensional stress and viscosity dropped with a rise of temperature. Under the experimental conditions, the melt extensional stress and viscosity decreased with an increase of the extrusion velocity.