Relationship between microstructure and properties of false-twist textured and stabilized polylactide. Part 1: dimensional stability, mechanical properties and thermomechanical behavior

Polylactide fibers (PLA), false-twist textured at different temperatures (135, 150 and 165℃) and draw ratios (1.30, 1.35 and 1.40) were stabilized by a continuous setting treatment at 50 m/min and 100℃ using a specially designed chamber. The crystallinity and the orientation of the original textured filaments and those of the stabilized ones were measured. The effect of post setting on the dimensional stability, mechanical properties and thermomechanical behavior in accordance with the texturing conditions was studied. The relationships between crystallinity and the dimensional stability and between the orientation and both the relaxation shrinkage and the endset temperature of shrinkage were considered.