X-Ray Diffraction Determination of the Effective Temperature Applied to Fibers During Processing1

Abstract

X-ray diffraction studies of the relationship between structure and fiber thermal pro cessing during texturing of yams or in fabric production has been helpful in under standing the causes of differential dyeing, as present in barré, or changes in the physical properties of fabrics. Crystalline order indices (COI), derived from parameters mea sured on the XRD diagrams of samples carefully treated at increasing temperatures and based on the fiber's continuous structural transition from less order toward a more highly ordered state, help to obtain simple correlations capable of determining the "effective temperature" of production samples as received during processing. Defects induced during processing by faulty temperature controls can, by this correlation, be recognized and corrective steps taken. This paper describes the behavior of nylon 6 (polycaprolactam), poly (ethylene terephthalate ) (PET), and Qiana (R).