Crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) from the oriented mesomorphic form

Yarns of different inherent viscosities, in the range 0.6–1.1 dL/g, spun in industrial plants, and drawn at room temperature to obtain mesomorphic samples, have been characterized. The evolution from the mesomorphic form toward the triclinic crystalline form has also been studied by combined differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA), and accurate wide angle X‐ray diffraction experiments. The DMA analysis of the mesomorphic samples allows better resolution of the glass transition and crystallization phenomena, which are superimposed in the DSC scans. The degree of molecular orientation in the mesomorphic samples, and the temperature of crystallization from the mesomorphic form (60–80°C), are essentially independent of the polymer molar mass. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.