Measurement of the smectic content in undrawn polypropylene filaments

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Abstract
By the use of x‐ray diffraction techniques a method is proposed for the measurement of the “smectic” content (interpreted here as material of intermediate order) of undrawn polypropylene filaments. The method involves two estimates of crystallinity by x‐ray methods. One is considered to measure the amount of diffraction from the normal crystalline monoclinic lattice and the other the total amount of diffraction from crystalline, “smectic” and noncrystalline material. By separation of these various quantities the amount of “smectic” polypropylene can be deduced. It was found by this technique that the “smectic” content of quenched polypropylene samples decreased from 40°C. onward and approached zero at about 85°C.