AbstractThe microstructure of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW‐PE) sheets biaxially drawn in the molten state was investigated by means of wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and electron microscopy. The crystallographicc‐axis tended to be oriented in the sheet plane by the biaxial drawing in the molten state. The microstructure of the biaxially drawn UHMW‐PE was shown to depend upon molecular weight of UHMW‐PE. The biaxially drawn sheet of higher molecular weight (Mv= 2,700,000) showed a fibrous structure, while the lower molecular weight sample (Mv700,000) had a lamellar structure. The result of DSC measurements suggested that a small number of nucleating extended chain crystals was produced by biaxial melt drawing of the UHMW‐PE sheet with higher mol
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