Abstract
The morphology of the transcrystalline layer grown by nucleating high density polyethylene of fibers of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene was investigated by microbeam synchrotrom X-ray diffraction. Scanning with a 2 micron step size, it was possible to determine that near the fiber surface, the polymer chains of the transcrystalline layer are oriented at an angle of approx. 41° with respect to the fiber axis. This is consistent with the lamellar fold surface (the {201} plane) being close to perpendicular to the fiber axis. the X-ray data support gradual twisting of the lamellae about the growth direction (the orthorhombic crystallite b-axis) at a rate of ∼0.85° per micron of radial distance from the fiber surface.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1183-1189 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics |
Volume | 206 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 16 Jun 2005 |
Keywords
- Lamellar twisting
- PE/PE composite
- Synchrotron
- Transcrystalline layer