| abstract |
A method for molding powder of ultra-high molecular weight, linear polyethylene comprising particles of less than 100 micron mean particle size having narrow particle size distribution is free-sinterable to form solid articles by a process comprising (a) molding a solid preform by compressing the polyethylene molding powder at a temperature below its crystalline melting point under pressure of at least 2,000 p.s.i., (b) releasing the pressure and (c) free-sintering the preform at temperature above its crystalline melting point. |