Characterization of polypropylene texture

An industrial polypropylene polymer is used to demonstrate the possibilities of measurement of texture by X-ray diffraction technique in organic materials. A three-dimensional study has been carried out on an isotactic polypropylene to characterize the influence of continuous and fragmented annealings at 398 K on the crystal orientations. Results are obtained for five planes—(110), (040), (130), (111) and (041)—and presented as pole figures in the direct space. They show a preferential orientation in the untreated sample. This orientation is slightly increased after annealing. Moreover, fragmented or continuous annealings have the same effects on the crystal orientation.