Micromechanical behavior of impact modified poly(ethylene terephthalate).

The micromechanical behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, modified with a metallocene polyolefin copolymer (mPE) was investigated. Uniaxial deformation tests were performed using a tensile stage in a scanning electron microscope. This technique allowed the identification of the main deformation mechanisms that are associated with energy dissipation and toughness improvement. The poly(ethylene terephthalate) was blended with 5 wt% mPE by single-screw extrusion. Films with thicknesses ranging from 200 to 500 [micro]m were produced. Observation of the surfaces of the films d