Determination of radial structural properties and spectral dispersion curves of poly(aryl ether ether ketone) fibre

Poly(aryl ether ether ketone) (PEEK) fibre was studied using a variable wavelength interferometric technique (VAWI). This technique was used in conjunction with a Pluta polarizing interference microscope to determine the spectral dispersion curves of fibre refractive indices and birefringence fibre. The results were used to calculate the dispersion properties of the fibre, ie dispersion and oscillation energies, Cauchy's constants of dispersion relation and the natural wavelength of the, fibre. The radial refractive index and birefringence profiles were also determined, taking into consideration the refraction of light beam by the fibre, and some radial structural profiles were then calculated using a ring-zonal model. The measurements of these radial profiles are required for optimizing the spinning and processing of manufactured textile fibres. The Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of a He-Ne laser beam was used to determine the average thickness of the fibre. Microinterferograms are presented for illustration. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.