Molecular Orientation of High-Density Polyethylene Fibers Characterized by Polarized Raman Spectroscopy

Polarized Raman spectroscopic measurements were performed on a uniaxially oriented high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fiber. The second and fourth coefficients of the orientation distribution function, and , respectively, have been quantitatively determined from the scattering intensities of the bands at 1130 and 1418 cm -1 . This work represents the first quantitative determination of the orientation parameters for a HDPE fiber by Raman spectroscopy. The values of calculated from the Raman experiments are shown to be in excellent agreement with the calculated value obtained by X-ray diffraction