Fractographic characterization of isotactic polypropylene fibers.

In this article we present an opto-thermo-mechanical characterization of isotactic polypropylene monofilament during failure by fracture. The digital photoelasticity, the two-beam Pluta polarising interference microscope and the computed tomography are used to provide quantitative data and visual models of the fracture regions of isotactic polypropylene fibers suffering failure by fracture at different thermal and mechanical conditions. Birefringence values and the intrinsic stress-anisotropy are measured at the fracture surface. 3D models of the fracture regions are reconstructed. Photoelastic patterns and two-beam interferograms are included for illustration.