Chapter 2: High-performance fibers and tapes based on PP and PE

Abstract

In the previous chapter the development of high-performance PE fibers via solution(gel)-spinning was discussed. The success of the simple solution(gel)-spinning process was a big incentive to explore other polymers as well as candidates for high-performance fibers, such as polypropylene and polar polymers like poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) and poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN). In this chapter solution(gel)-spinning of polypropylene (PP) fibers will be discussed and subsequently the use of PP fibers and tapes in self-reinforced composites. In the second part of this chapter, tapes based on UHMW-PE are presented.