LAUSR

Abstract The digital photoelastic technique is used to characterise the necking behaviour of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) fibres. The effect of stretching rate on necking initiation is studied. The birth of necking is observed using photoelastic patterns of the stretched fibres to understand how the localised difference between the principle stresses grows to form a necking region. Finally, the formation of multiple necking regions is characterised photoelastically. These multiple necks are initiated using the same formation mechanism and conditions as if there is only a single necking region. It was evident that, fast stretching causes faster arrangement of molecular chains and hence decreases the time required for necking initiation. Recommendations are suggested for optimum mechanical processing conditions of iPP fibres to avoid failure by necking. Photoelastic patterns are given for illustration.