Microstructural analysis of neutron-irradiation induced changes in polyester fibre studied using EPMA

• Published in: Indian journal of physics 2009-04, Vol.83 (4), p.525-529
• Main Authors: Mallick, Biswajit, Behera, Ramesh Chandra, Panigrahi, Simanchal, Badapanda, Tanmaya, Parija, Biswanath, Behera, Banita, Panigrahi, Manas, Sarangi, Madhumita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Physics; Physics and Astronomy
• ISSN: 0019-5480; 0974-9845
• DOI: 10.1007/s12648-009-0013-3

Electron microscopy is an important characterization technique for the study of textile fibre as it gives more information on fabric wear, nature of fibre fracture, chemical degradation, abrasion, fatigue and many others. Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) micrographs of virgin and some neutron-irradiated samples (graphite coated) are discussed. The filament diameter, D , of virgin PET fibre obtained from EPMA study was 12.5 μn. The surface topography of single filament distinctly reveals the core and sheath parts of the filament. The core diameter of the virgin fibre was estimated to be 1.43 μm. The fibre irradiated at fluence 1 × 10 12 n/cm 2 shows radiation induced sphere like polymer balls or spherulites of diameter 2.27 μm in the expanded core region. Due to irradiation, the sheath area crosslinks with expanded core region, which may be responsible for increase of strength and hardness of the polymer materials. Moreover, the micrograph at 3000 X magnifications clearly shows that there is no preferred orientation of the polymer in any direction confirming the isotropic nature of the sample.