The structural development during the CO2 laser-heated drawing of low-oriented α-crystalline as-spun PBT fibers was analyzed with a time resolution of 0.3 ms. The α-crystal was transformed into an oriented β-form crystal at the necking position, and the crystallite size and orientation were increased <2 ms after necking at the temperature of 100–160 °C. In contrast to the PET and PEN, quasi-smectic structure was not observed before crystallization. The oriented β-crystal of the drawn fiber transformed into the oriented α-crystal when the drawing tension was released.
- Kyoung-Hou Kim
- Young-Ah Kang
- Hiroshi Urakawa
