Surface-controlled recrystallization of polyethylene

Abstract

Experimental observations by means of transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction are reported which suggest that surface-controlled recrystallization may occur in drawn polyethylene films. During the re-crystallization process, crystals with (ITO) planes parallel to the free surface of the film grow from the surface into the drawn material. If the entire film is recrystallized the fibre texture of the drawn film is replaced by a new texture having the (ITO) planes parallel to the film surface and the [001] axis in the drawing direction.