The extrusion and biaxial orientation of a novel thermoplastic

A study has been made into the mechanical property improvement by molecular orientation of the non-ionic precursor of a Nafion ion-exchange membrane. The 1100 equivalent weight precursor was initially characterised by thermal analysis, mechanical testing and rheology, before oriented films were produced using purpose built biaxial stretching equipment (BASE) and by blown film extrusion. The oriented precursor films were subsequently characterised to measure the degree of orientation present and its effect on the mechanical properties of the films. [Continues.]