| Properties of polymer products are related to the materials structure. For semi-crystalline polymers the structure is mainly dependent upon the crystallinity and orientation of the crystalline material, and information on both properties can be obtained from X-ray analysis. In-situ X-ray characterization of the polymer melt spinning process is a major source of information about structure evolution along the spinline and probes the effects of material properties and processing conditions upon structure evolution and the final structure and properties of the products.; The Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films (CAEFF) has recently installed an in-situ X-ray system capable of simultaneous detection of wide angle and small angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS) during polymer melt spinning. To the best of our knowledge this system is unique in its capabilities for the simultaneous detection of WAXS and SAXS, its use of a conventional laboratory radiation source, its vertical mobility along the spinline, and its ability to simulate a semi-industrial environment.; Setup, operation and demonstration of the capabilities of the CAEFF in-situ X-ray system is presented in this work, as applied to the characterization of the melt spinning of isotactic poly(propylene). This polymer has been previously studied by in-situ X-ray techniques using both rotating anode and synchrotron X-ray sources which are convenient reference points, although material characteristics and processing conditions may be different.; Crystallinity and crystalline orientation calculated from WAXS patterns, and lamellar long period calculated from SAXS patterns, were obtained during melt spinning of isotactic poly(propylene) along the spinline. Three melt flow rates (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 cm3·min-1 ·hole-1) and four take-up speeds (50, 100, 200 and 400 m·min-1) at the spinning temperature of 220°C were the processing conditions used. Complementary data for the characterization of structure development during polymer processing, diameter, velocity and temperature, were also obtained along the spinline. |
