Unit cell dimensions of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The density of crystals of poly(ethylene terephthalate), (PETP), Qc is checked by X‐ray diffraction assuming a triclinic unit cell and the indices of reflections as found by Bunn. The following unit cell dimensions are found: a = 4,48Å, b = 5,85Å, c = 10,75 Å, α = 99,5°, β = 118,4°, and γ = 111,2°. This gives the density Qc as 1,515g/cm3 which is about 4% higher than that reported by Bunn. Negligible differences in spacings for samples annealed at different temperatures (120°C–260°C) have been found. Only for an annealing temperature of 100°C the higher d‐values lead to Qc = 1,484g/cm3. For undrawn PETP films annealed at 250°C the same value of Qc as for drawn PETP was obtained on the basis of Guinier X‐ray patterns. No systematic variation of crystal plane spacings was found for drawn PETP fibers annealed at 220°C and containing mole fractions of 1,7 to 4,2% diethylene glycol, (2,2′‐oxydiethanol), as comonomer.