Statistical analysis of the strength of ultra-oriented ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene film filaments in the framework of the Weibull model

A statistical analysis of the distribution of the tensile strength σ of ultra-oriented ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) film filaments has been performed in the framework of the Weibull model using the results obtained from a large number (50) of measurements. The UHMWPE film filaments have been produced by means of high-temperature multistage zone drawing of xerogels prepared from 1.5% UHMWPE solutions in decalin. The Weibull modulus has been determined for this type of materials. It has been shown that, for the ultimate draw ratio λ = 120, the average tensile strength is equal to 4.7 GPa, which is significantly higher than the tensile strength σ = 3.5 GPa for commercial gel-spun UHMWPE fibers manufactured by the DSM Company (The Netherlands) and the Honeywell International Incorporation (United States). It has been demonstrated that, for 20% of the specimens thus prepared, the tensile strength reaches record-high values σ = 5.2–5.9 GPa.