Morphologies and mechanical properties of pet films crystallized under high strain rates

The morphologies of highly oriented PET films, crystallized in a longitudinal flow gradient, were examined using transmission electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis, thermomechanical analysis, birefringence measurements, and mechanical tensile tests. The morphology in the as‐drawn state of the samples consists of oriented single micellar blocks which are embedded in the amorphous matrix. Annealing above 180°C causes a morphological transformation into lamellalike crystals, which are formed by lateral crystallization, preferably at the sidefaces of the micellar blocks. An interpretation of the mechanical behavior is given in accordance with the morphological model.