Dislocation approach to the plastic deformation of semicrystalline polymers:: Kinetic aspects for polyethylene and polypropylene

The plasticity of semicrystalline polymers is analyzed in the framework of Young's dislocation model under the assumption of nucleation of screw dislocations from the lateral surface of the crystalline lamellae. It is proposed that the driving force for the nucleation and propagation across the crystal width of these screw dislocations relies on chain twist defects that migrate along the chains stems and allow a step-by-step translation of the stems through the crystal thickness. Such defects are identified as thermally activated conformational defects responsible for the so-called crystalline relaxation. Dislocation kinetic equations are derived. Plastic flow rates attainable by dislocation motion in polyethylene and polypropylene are assessed with frequency-temperature data of the crystalline relaxation. Comparisons are made with experimental strain rates that enable homogeneous plastic deformation. In addition to temperature, the crystal lamellar thickness, which is a basic factor of the plastic flow stress in Young's dislocation model, is a major factor in dislocation kinetics through its influence on chain twist activation. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.