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Structural evolution of β-iPP with different supermolecular structures during the simultaneous biaxial stretching process

Polymer Journal volume 53, pages 331–344 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Two different supermolecular structures of β-iPP cast films were used to investigate structural evolution during the simultaneous biaxial stretching process via small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Based on the mechanical behaviors and porosity variations during the stretching process, it was found that the two samples had different structural evolution modes. During the initial stage of deformation, β-hedrites exhibited violent cavitation behavior in the center region of the hedrites by forming elliptical crazes and expanding, while β-spherulites were more inclined to fragment into blocky crystal structures, which was accompanied by the slippage of these structures. In the later stages of stretching, β-hedrites formed numerous dense regions around the elliptical crazes, which hindered microvoid formation and led to a poor pore size distribution. Conversely, β-spherulites generated abundant microfibrillar structures, and abundant microvoids were formed by directly separating the microfibrils, forming a membrane with a superior pore size distribution.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Natural Science Foundation of China for financial support (51721091).

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  1. State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

    Daoxin Zhang, Lei Ding, Feng Yang, Fang Lan, Ya Cao & Ming Xiang

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  1. Daoxin Zhang
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  2. Lei Ding
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Correspondence to Feng Yang.

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Zhang, D., Ding, L., Yang, F. et al. Structural evolution of β-iPP with different supermolecular structures during the simultaneous biaxial stretching process. Polym J 53, 331–344 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-020-00430-6

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