The x‐ray diffraction, birefringence, and infrared dichroism of stretched polyethylene

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Abstract
The results of a study of x‐ray diffraction, birefringence, and infrared dichroism on a series of polyethylene samples elongated between 0 and 400% are presented. It is shown that, by using any two of the three methods together, one may determine individually the orientation of the amorphous and crystalline portions of the polymer. The results of the third method may then be predicted. Both amorphous and crystalline regions orient appreciably upon stretching. The amorphous orientation is somewhat lower than that of the crystallites. Many of the amorphous chains appear to become completely stretched out. The results indicate that the degree of crystallinity remains constant during stretching and that the oscillator strength of the CH2 rocking vibration is also constant.