STRUCTURE TRANSFER FROM A POLYMERIC MELT TO THE SOLID-STATE .3. INFLUENCE OF KNOTS ON STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF SEMICRYSTALLINE POLYMERS

Investigations of the influence of crystallization conditions and molecular weight on mechanical properties of melt spun monofilaments have been carried out in previous studies [1, 2]. The present results emphasize the influence of crystallization upon two classes of molecular entanglements present in the melt: 1) mobile entanglements with short life times; 2) long living knots as a superstructure of the entanglement network On the other hand, it is shown that the former number of entanglements controls the thickness of the crystalline lamellae. It is pointed out that knots also have a specific influence on morphology. Knots form the amorphous phase of a semicrystalline polymer and are mechanically active. The present model is comparatively discussed in light of Peterlin's plastic deformation model and Kilian's van der Waals Network Theory.