On morphologies developed during two-dimensional compaction of woven polypropylene tapes

The microstructure of compacted woven polypropylene cloths prepared at their optimum compaction temperature of 184 °C has been examined. Details of transverse and longitudinal cross-sections have been revealed by permanganic etching and observed with scanning electron microscopy. The original cloth was found to contain perpendicular cracks and biconical defects reported previously in other systems. After compaction, the cloth bonded together to form a thick solid sheet, with a melting point raised for the residual material but reduced for the recrystallized component. The higher melting regions form a continuous three-dimensional network with linear traces in a longitudinal section, in agreement with recent observations of fiber structure. Recrystallization occurs both within and externally from tapes: where parallel tapes meet, transcrystalline layers emanate from tape surfaces, with a distinct line where the two growth fronts meet. In some more extensive recrystallized regions row structures are formed, probably indicating local flow during compaction.