Molecular orientation in biaxially oriented sheets of poly(ethylene terephthalate) II. Correlation of orientation averages with measured mechanical compliances

The aggregate model is extended to examine the relationship between mechanical anisotropy and molecular orientation in one-way drawn sheets of poly(ethylene terephthalate). It is assumed that both the aggregate and the unit of structure have orthorhombic symmetry. On the basis of a number of detailed assumptions regarding the appropriate application of the model, calculated bounds are obtained for the elastic constants that are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values. The implications of these results with regard to molecular orientation are considered, and it is concluded that both the chain orientation and orientation around the chain axis are important in determining the mechanical anisotropy.