Influence of molar mass and catalysts on the kinetics of crystallization and on the orientation of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Abstract

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) with different molar masses and different catalysts and additives (calcium acetate, manganese acetate, triphenylphosphate) was synthesized. The influence of the molar mass distribution, and of the additives used, on the rate of crystallization was studied. Also the dependence of the orientation obtained during drawing at elevated temperatures on the drawing conditions, on the average molar mass, and on the additives was investigated. It is shown that, under the same drawing conditions, an increase in molar mass leads to greater orientation. Also, at very small draw rates the orientation in the samples containing calcium acetate is greater than in those containing manganese acetate.