Abstract
Polymers are subjected to external flow fields during their manufacture via traditional processing techniques such as extrusion, film blowing, and spinning. Accordingly, polymer chains undergo a stretching process that causes the development of strain-induced crystallites, different crystal morphologies, and the orientation of polymer chains within the amorphous phase. Many process parameters (e.g., draw ratio, draw temperature) and intrinsic properties of the initial material (e.g., molecular weight, molecular weight distribution) determine the effectiveness of this process and the subsequent effect on the final properties of the material, which are closely related to the internal morphology of the polymer. Therefore the mechanical performance, barrier properties, or piezoelectric response, among others, could be optimized via strain-induced morphological changes. This chapter provides a broad overview on the current state of the art regarding the molecular basis, segmental dynamics, and kinetic, morphological, and structural considerations associated with strain-induced crystallization. For some particular applications, strain-induced crystallization has resulted in the development of polymers for advanced industrial applications, which are briefly summarized at the end of the chapter.
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