Structural Investigation of Chemical Treated Polyester Fibers Using Saxs and other Techniques

Abstract

Structural macromolecular parameters of normal and treated (acid & alkali) polyester fibers have been investigated using Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) technique. Average diameters were calculated from Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs and mechanical parameters were estimated using Instron. Further, crystallinity parameters of the same fibers have been determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Thermal analysis. These results supplement the findings of SAXS, SEM and Instron. Comparison and analysis of results confirm some changes in the microstructure of fiber after chemical treatment due to breaking of macromolecules. The findings conclude that degradation of acid treated fiber is more than that of alkali treated fiber