The molecular orientation for biaxially stretched poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film have been explored by means of optical and microwave methods. The conformational change in amorphous PET chain was investigated by the measurement of infrared spectrum. The gauche conformation in amorphous PET chain gradually changed to the trans conformation about 3.5 area stretch ratio for biaxially stretched film. Molecular orientation ratio (MOR) from microwave measurement was similar to in-plane birefringence by Abbe refractometer for biaxially stretched film. Good correlations between refactive indices by Abbe and microwave measuements are found for biaxially stretched film.
Biaxially stretched poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films have been characterized by wide angle X-ray diffraction. Pole figures were developed for wide angle diffraction peaks. These are used to interpret structural changes in the films associated with various degrees of biaxial stretching and subsequent constrained annealing. We investigated typical pole figures for (100) and (105) planes normal of biaxially stretched and annealed films. In the triclinic unit cell of PET crystal the phenyl ring planes are roughly parallel to (100) planes and (105) planes are roughly perpendicular to the chain axis.