Ordering Effects and Percolation in the Structure Formation Process of the Oriented Polyolefin Porous Films

Abstract

Structure transitions and mechanism of the formation of superlattices lamellae in microporous polyolefin (polyethylene and polypropylene) films obtained in the process based on polymer melt extrusion followed by annealing, uniaxial extension and thermal fixation have been studied by statistical analysis of electron microscopy images of the film surface. The structure of the porous films prepared in the multistage process has been studied by SEM, gravimetry and permeability measurements. It has been shown that the pore formation at the stage of uniaxial extension is accompanied by the ordering of lamellae and their self-organization controlled by spin draw ratio and annealing temperature. It was established that an increase of these parameters lead to the transition of disorder–order type. The effect of preparation conditions on the ordering process of regular spatial lattices of lamellae has been discussed.

Keywords

• percolation
• self-organization
• through permeability
• porous films
• polyethylene
• polypropylene