Skip to main content

Measurement of a film sample

AppNote B-XRD1063: measurement of a film sample

Background

In polymer materials processed into the shape of fibers or films, the molecular axes align in the direction of stretching. Therefore, when these types of material are measured, diffraction lines due to crystal faces in specific orientations are observed to be large (preferred orientation). By using this characteristic, and measuring while varying the placement of the sample relative to the scan axis, it is possible to investigate the direction of the molecular axes with respect to the material. In this case, the transmission method is used together with the reflection method. Here, we measured a PET film, both unstretched and stretched by 5 times, by mounting a general-purpose sample holder to a benchtop X-ray diffractometer and using the reflection method and transmission method.

Measurements and Results

sample holder

Fig.1: General purpose sample holder
(left: reflection method right: transmission method)

Fig. 1 shows the appearance of the general-purpose sample holder. In this measurement, the film was placed so that the MD (Machine Direction), or direction of stretching, is in the up-down direction. Fig. 2 shows the relationship between the PET molecular axis and the -105 plane.

Monomer

Fig. 2: Relationship of PET molecular axis and 105 plane

Figs. 3 and 4 show the data in the reflection and transmission arrangements for PET film measured with the general-purpose sample holder. A broad halo pattern deriving from amorphous material was obtained from unstretched film regardless of the reflection/transmission arrangement. From the film stretched by 5 times, on the other hand, a 100 plane peak was obtained with the reflection method, and a -105 plane peak with the transmission method. The -105 plane is a plane orthogonal to the PET molecular axis, and thus it can be confirmed that, in film stretched by 5 times, the molecular axes are oriented in the MD.

unstretched

 Fig. 3: X-ray diffraction profile of unstretched PET film

stretched

Fig. 4: X-ray diffraction profile of PET film stretched by 5 times

XRD products from Rigaku

Advanced state-of-the-art high-resolution XRD system powered by Guidance expert system software

Highly versatile multipurpose X-ray diffractometer with built-in intelligent guidance

New 6th-generation general purpose benchtop XRD system for phase i.d and phase quantification

Compact X-ray diffractometer for quality control of materials that is easy to use and is ideal for routine work

Laboratory micro-spot XRD residual stress analysis with both iso- and side-inclination methods

Windows®-based software suite for Rigaku's X-ray diffractometers

high energy resolution pixel detector capable of 0, 1, and 2D measurements

2D X-ray detector with latest semiconductor technology designed for home lab diffractometers