Abstract: Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene（UHMWPE） fibers have very low intermolecular forces, resulting in poor anti-creep performance and limiting their applications.Trimethylolpropane triacrylate（TMPTA） and a photo-initiator（Irgacure500） were introduced into UHMWPE fibers using solvent extraction modification. After a three-stage hot drawing, the fibers were irradiated with ultraviolet light to produce a cross-linking structure within the fibers, thereby improving the anti-creep performance of UHMWPE fibers.The results showed that the gel content of the UHMWPE fibers increased significantly after ultraviolet irradiation. With an increase in the mass fraction of TMPTA in the modified extracting solution, the gel content, melting point, anti-creep performance, and residual strength of the fibers after high-temperature treatment first increased and subsequently decreased; the crystallinity, degree of orientation, and mechanical properties decreased;and the thermal shrinkage resistance improved. Comprehensively, considering the mechanical properties, thermal performance, and anti-creep performance of cross-linking modified fibers, the optimal quality mass fraction of TMPTA in the modified extracting solution was2%, the anti-creep performance of resultant fibers was improved by 27.75% and 52.99%,respectively, after room temperature creep for 20 min under 30% breaking stress and 90 ℃creep for 20 min under 0.25 cN/dtex, and the strength remained at 90.3% after being treated at 150 ℃ for 30 minutes.

Key words: ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene （UHMWPE） fiber, ultraviolet radiation crosslinking, extraction modification, creep resistance, mechanical property