The Effect of Rotational Extrusion on the Structure and Properties of HDPE Pipes

High density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes were prepared using a novel rotational extrusion processing system. The experimental results showed that the hoop stress exerted by either mandrel rotation or die rotation could have the macromolecular chains oriented in hoop direction and alter the crystallization behavior of HDPE during rotational extrusion, resulting in forming transcrystals with larger crystalline size, thicker lamellae, higher Tm. Therefore, the mechanical properties of HDPE pipes were greatly improved in hoop direction, which was attributed to the changes of the crystalline morphology and the molecular orientation under the action of the hoop stress field.