MORPHOLOGICAL-STUDIES ON EXTRUDED FILMS AND FILAMENTS OF POLYPROPYLENE

In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the development of morphology during extrusion and uniaxial stretching of polypropyle ne (PP) films and filaments at corresponding conditions. Dies for extr usion of films and filaments were designed to achieve similar extrusio n velocity and shear rates. Orientation in films and fibers of PP prod uced from these dies was determined by birefringence and wide-angle X- ray diffraction (WAXD). The degree of crystallinity was determined by density and WAXD. The superstructure developed during extrusion was st udied in films by small-angle light scattering. It was inferred that f ilms and fibers prepared under similar conditions would produce simila r morphology. Hence, films can be characterized by optical techniques when it is difficult to study fibers. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.