The Activation Energy and Some Structural Parameters of Thermally Treated Polypropylene Suture Fibers

Multiple-beam Fizeau fringes in transmission were used to study the changes in optical parameters of thermally treated polypropylene PP suture fibers. Changes in the refractive indices and birefringence have been measured interferometrically on thermally treated PP suture fibers at temperatures of 19 to 40 ± 0.5°C. From the optical parameters; the mean polarizability of monomer units, the density, stress optical coefficient, the thermal stress and the activation energy of PP sutures were calculated. The results of density and optical measurements were used to calculate the crystallinity and the specific refractivity of the isotropic dielectric. Additionally, we calculated the mean square density fluctuation, the segment anisotropy, the molar refractivity and form birefringence. Relations between evaluated and measured parameters are given for illustration. The present study throws light on the changes due to slight thermal treatments as an example of thermal human end uses. Curves are given for illustration.