This article reports the development of weavable, uniaxially‐oriented PET tape, and woven‐tape fabric. Fabric from uniaxially‐oriented polypropylene (PP) tape has been commercially produced since the 1960s, and it is the dominant material for flexible industrial packaging, carpet backing, geotextiles and self‐reinforced composites. Attempts had been made over the same period to produce similar poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) tape fabric, knowing that it would offer superior performance over PP due to PET's higher stiffness and strength, lower creep, abrasion resistance, and higher temperature capability. However, these attempts could not be translated into industrial production because the PET tapes had a tendency to splinter when subjected to sudden pulls and twists in the weaving loom. This was solved here by blending polymeric additives such as 2% polycarbonate (PC) and 2% linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE). Transmission electron microscopy of the oriented tapes showed the 2% PC formed a profusion of nano ellipsoids that adhered well to the PET matrix, and these prevented axial cracks from running through in a brittle manner. The LLDPE formed larger domains with poorer adhesion, but it imparted resistance to splitting from twists and axial folding. The combination of PC and polyolefin imparted a synergistic toughening of the tape. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E120–E132, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

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Stabilization of polymers involves chemical and physical processes, and the effectiveness of antioxidants is strongly influenced by their compatibility with the host system. In the case of rubber-modified high-impact polymer blends, the dispersed elastomer phase is generally the most sensitive to thermooxidative degradation. The compatibility of five hindered phenolic antioxidants with polybutadiene (PBD) was studied as a function of temperature. Relationships were found between the diffusion rate and the specific volume of additive, as well as the total free-volume of the polymer/additive system. The solubility of antioxidants was evaluated on the basis of thermodynamic theories. Deviations from thermodynamic expectations are explained in terms of different physical states and self-association of the substances investigated.

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