Oscillation and instability of neck propagation in poly(ethylene terephthalate) films

Abstract

The stability of neck propagation and its oscillatory mode have been studied for the cold drawing of poly(ethylene terephthalate) films. On the basis of Barenblatt's model considering a temperature rise at the neck, the stability has been analysed for neck propagation at constant speed and at constant load. It is shown that the stability is directly connected to the sign of the slope of the stress-drawing rate plot; unstable neck propagation should be in the region of negative slope. It is argued that the unstable mode changes to an oscillatory neck propagation for drawing at constant speed, while the mode in drawing at constant load is transformed to the other stable region. Experimental study has confirmed the unstable drawing at constant load and the transition of neck propagation rate. Oscillatory neck propagation has also been examined by a numerical calculation of non-linear differential equations based on Barenblatt's model. The limits of Barenblatt's model are also discussed.