Structure development in melt spinning poly(vinylidene fluoride) fibers and tapes

Abstract A series of poly(vinylidene fluoride)s of varying molecular weight have been melt spun to form fibers and tapes. These have been characterized with wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), birefringence, and small angle light scattering (SALS). WAXD and DSC have detected both the α and β crystal structures in melt spun fibers with the relative amount of β increasing with drawdown stress. WAXD and birefringence have been used to detect orientation in the fibers. Hermans–Stein orientation factors have been computed for the α‐phase as a function of drawdown stress. Superstructure has been investigated using SALS. The mechanical properties of fibers have been determined with a tensile testing machine and correlated with orientation and spinline stress.