Deformation of drawn, annealed polyethylene

The deformation of drawn and annealed polyethylene film was examined by electron microscopy and small-and wide-angle x-ray diffraction, and is compared with that of oriented, annealed thin films redrawn on Mylar film. Although the detailed results obtained with redrawn thin film can not be directly compared with the thick films, in both cases the observed kabob structure first undergoes separation and tilting of the lamellae followed by breakage of the lamellae into blocks and probable unfolding of the molecules in the blocks to form extended-chain fibrils. The results are similar to those that have been reported for the deformation of solution grown polyethylene shish-kabobs.