Abstract: A process for the solid phase deformation of orientable, semi-crystalline, thermoplastic, polymeric material, in particular polyethylene, is provided in which an improvement of the mechanical properties of the polyethylene is achieved. The process for producing a product from linear polyethylene includes forming a workpiece which is to be extruded in the solid phase by consolidating a mass of solid particulate linear polyethylene under heat and pressure. The resulting workpiece is subjected to heat treatment under pressure to cause the polyethylene to crystallize in an extended chain morphology and to have a melting point of at least 139.5.degree. C. and a density of at least 0.98 g/cm.sup.3. Thereafter the workpiece of polyethylene is deformed in the solid phase to provide a polyethylene product by, for example, passage through a die, the workpiece being subjected to a deformation extrusion ratio of at least 3 and preferably 3 to 25.

Abstract: An ionically conductive, ion-containing polymeric material prepared from an amorphous polymer and a source of ions and having a bulk ionic conductivity at 20.degree. C. and 10 kHz greater than 10.sup.-6 .OMEGA..sup.-1 cm.sup.-1, wherein the copolymer comprises a backbone from which depends at least one residue of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: n represent a number greater than 1; andR represents a hydrogen atom or substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl group.

Abstract: A process for the deformation of a workpiece of an orientable, thermoplastic polymer by passage in the solid phase through a die having both an entry side and an exit side, which process includes providing the workpiece of the orientable, thermoplastic polymer which is initially present, at least in part, in an extended chain crystalline morphology at the entry side of the die; causing the workpiece to deform in the solid phase through the die; and collecting the deformed workpiece from the exit side of the die.

Abstract: A process for the deformation of a hollow workpiece comprising orientable, thermoplastic polymer by passage in the solid phase through a die having both an entry side and an exit side, which process comprises providing the hollow workpiece at the entry side of the die; applying to the hollow workpiece from the exit side of the die a tension insufficient to cause tensile failure of the workpiece but sufficient to deform the hollow workpiece by drawing it with reduction in its bulk cross-sectional area in the solid phase simultaneously through the die and over an internally positioned former having a cross-sectional area greater than the initial internal cross-sectional area of the hollow workpiece; and collecting the deformed hollow workpiece from the exit side of the die.

Abstract: Oriented polymer material of high Young's modulus and low creep strain is provided by a process which comprises drawing polymer material having a weight average molecular weight greater than 150,000 and a ratio of weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight greater than 5 at temperatures from 95.degree. C. to 140.degree. C. and at a rate such that the deformation ration is greater than 18.

Abstract: A high modulus polymer material is produced by subjecting a crystallizable polymer to a thermal treatment under conditions such that the possibility that a given molecular chain is incorporated in more than one crystal lamella is substantially reduced and then attenuating the polymer at an imposed rate and temperature whereby substantially complete alignment of its molecules may be obtained.

Abstract: Oriented polymer material of high Young's modulus and low creep strain is provided by a process which comprises drawing polymer material having a weight average molecular weight greater than 150,000 and a ratio of weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight greater than 5 at temperatures from 95.degree. C. to 140.degree. C. and at a rate such that the deformation ratio is greater than 18.

Abstract: A process for the production of a high modulus filament of polyethylene which comprises heating high density polyethylene to a temperature above its melting point, extruding the polymer to form a filament, subjecting the filament immediately after extrusion to a tension under such conditions that the filament is shaped without substantial orientation of its molecules, cooling the filament at a rate of cooling in excess of 15.degree. C. per minute, and drawing the filament to a high draw ratio.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite material in which a reinforcing material (eg as fibres) is embedded in a matrix material is characterized in that the reinforcement material comprises a polymer material having a draw ratio of at least 12:1 which is plama treated, prior to incorporation in the matrix, preferably to produce pitting in its surface whereby improved adhesion is obtained between the reinforcement material and the matrix material by mechanical interlocking of the pitted surface of the reinforcement material and the complementary surface of the matrix material. Preferably, the surface pitting is effected by a plasma discharge treatment. Preferably the average pit size is from 0.1 to 4 microns.

Abstract: An elongated material comprising a vinylidene fluoride polymer and having a Young's modulus from 3 to 15 GPa and which, when poled, has a pyroelectric constant from 4 to 15 nC cm.sup.-2 K.sup.-1, or a hydrostatic piezoelectric constant greater than 10 pCN.sup.-1.

Abstract: A high modulus polymer material is produced by subjecting a crystallisable polymer to a thermal treatment under conditions such that the possibility that a given molecular chain is incorporated in more than one crystal lamella is substantially reduced and then attenuating the polymer at an imposed rate and temperature whereby substantially complete alignment of its molecules may be obtained.

Abstract: Oriented polymer material of high Young's modulus and low creep strain is provided by a process which comprises drawing polymer material having a weight average molecular weight greater than 300,000 and a ratio of weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight greater than 5 at temperatures from 95.degree. C. to 140.degree. C. and at a rate such that the deformation ratio is greater than 18.

Abstract: A process for the production of a high modulus filament of polyethylene which comprises heating high density polyethylene to a temperature above its melting point, extruding the polymer to form a filament, subjecting the filament immediately after extrusion to a tension under such conditions that the filament is shaped without substantial orientation of its molecules, cooling the filament at a rate of cooling in excess of 15.degree. C. per minute, and drawing the filament to a high draw ratio.This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 860,999, filed Dec. 15, 1977, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 553,656, Feb. 27, 1975, now abandoned.