Effects of Swelling Treatments on Fine Structure and Mechanical Properties of Cellophane Film

Commercial cellophane film was studied, primarily with a view to determining structural modifications as a result of swelling treatments. Cellophane films were subjected to swelling in ethylenediamine, pyridine, and an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. Structural properties such as crystallinity and crystallite size were determined by x-ray diffraction. Changes in orientation were followed by determining birefringence and sonic velocity. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, and tearing strength were also studied. An analysis of the data revealed that the swelling treatment increases the crystallinity, which improves the mechanical properties.