Macroscopic and crystallographic density of solid-state extruded polyethylene

Summary The influence of draw ratio on macroscopic and crystallographic density of polyethylene with different initial morphologies, has been investigated by solid-state extrusion. An initial drop followed by an increase in macroscopic density as a function of draw ratio has been observed. Since precision X-ray measurements of unit cell parameters showed no variation of crystallographic density, it was concluded that plastic deformation of polyethylene upon drawing proceeds with a decrease of the degree of crystallinity. This was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry.