| Abstract: | Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a crystalline polymer known for its multiple crystalline phases. When elongated at room temperature before necking, the nucleation and growth of micro-voids is a major process. No phase transition was observed. In this paper, micromechanisms of deformation are studied and linked to the macroscopic mechanical tensile behavior at temperatures higher than 100°C and after necking. Cavitation, crystalline phase transitions and orientation process are investigated by small and wide angle x-ray experiments. Two PVDF with different molecular weight distributions are considered. These microstructure differences mainly affect cavitation. |
