Morphological mechanics of springy polymers

The mechanics of “springy” or “hard elastic” row‐crystallized polymers were investigated. It was found that their unique tensile and physical properties could be explained by adhesive fracture mechanics and simple beam deflection. The deformed lamellae had an apparent negligible modulus of flexural rigidity. An adhesive failure model was designed which duplicated all the tensile characteristics of springy polymers, including constant lateral contraction, critical stress, peel stress, rehealing, energetic elasticity, and cyclic strain behavior. The ideal relative density change as a function of strain was found to be the same for all springy polymers. Dynamic infrared analysis showed that the molecular orientation decreased during the deformation of springy polypropylene films. The latter is due to the deflection of lamellae. Rehealing was accompanied by a time‐dependent reversal of orientation. The enthalpic elasticity is derived from the strain energy of the lamellar network.