Structural conditions of deformation and fracture of oriented crystalline polymers

Deformation of supermolecular structure elements of oriented crystalline polymers and nucleation of initial submicroscopic cracks induced by stress have been studied by the small-angle x-ray scattering technique. It is shown that the intrafibrillar amorphous interlayers have low strength and high deformability. The rupture of the weakest amorphous interlayers leads to nucleation of initial submicrocracks. The influence of submicrocracks on deformation around such cracks is revealed. The micromechanics of deformation and fracture of polymers is discussed.