STRUCTURE TRANSFER FROM A POLYMERIC MELT TO THE SOLID-STATE .3. INFLUENCE OF KNOTS ON STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF SEMICRYSTALLINE POLYMERS

Investigations of the influence of crystallization conditions and mole cular weight on mechanical properties of melt spun monofilaments have been carried out in previous studies [1, 2]. The present results empha size the influence of crystallization upon two classes of molecular en tanglements present in the melt: 1) mobile entanglements with short li fe times; 2) long living knots as a superstructure of the entanglement network On the other hand, it is shown that the former number of enta nglements controls the thickness of the crystalline lamellae. It is po inted out that knots also have a specific influence on morphology. Kno ts form the amorphous phase of a semicrystalline polymer and are mecha nically active. The present model is comparatively discussed in light of Peterlin's plastic deformation model and Kilian's van der Waals Net work Theory.