Structure and mechanical properties of nylon 6.12 prepared by temperature slope crystallization. II. Rolling deformation and microhardness of the oriented negative spherulite

Oriented negative spherulites of nylon 6.12 were crystallized by the temperature slope method. Rolling deformation of the negative texture was performed in three directions. The deformation mechanism of the negative spherulites was investigated by x-ray diffraction and microhardness measurements. Slip deformation between crystalline lamellae (interlamellar slip) was observed in the first stage of deformation. The results are compared with the rolling deformation of other polymer textures such as the positive spherulites of nylon 6.12 and β-phase isotactic polypropylene. In the rolling deformation of nylon 6.12, hydrogen-bonded (010) planes play an important role. For large deformations (λ > 1.5), preferential slip between (010) planes appears, resulting in a lamellar inclination of 60° and a decrease of the lamellar thickness. Microhardness measurements after rolling deformation of the oriented negative texture show good agreement with the structural analysis. The rapid decrease in the microhardness with increasing deformation can be explained by the lamellar thickness decrease brought about by the preferential slip between the (010) planes.