Polarized Raman intensities have been obtained from thin films of oriented low‐density polyethylene (PE) immersed in silicone oil to minimize surface scattering. Studies were made using the 1170 cm−1 crystalline band and the 1081 cm−1 amorphous band, and from these the orientation averages 〈cos2 θ〉 and 〈cos4 θ〉 were calculated. These were found to compare favorably with the values of 〈cos2 θ〉 for the polymer chain in the crystalline and amorphous phases obtained from measurements of infrared dichroism. Both orientation averages could be theoretically fitted by using reasonable parameters.

The entry of metallocene-based products into polypropylene (pp) cast film is at a stage where their potential in various markets is now being assessed. This study reviews the structural features of some metallocene polymers and reports on resulting potential benefits in cast film applications through their use—and also with their use—in blends with Ziegler-Natta based PP.