Real time texture formation during deformation of semi-crystalline PEEK

In semi-crystalline PEEK, morphological details have a strong influence on mechanical properties. For reliable predictions, we use a micro-mechanical model that takes crystallinity and crystal orientation into account. With this model, we can describe experimental stress-strain curves. The model shows that re-orientation of the crystals during deformation, so-called texture formation, plays an important role. This modelling observation will be verified by performing tensile tests with in-situ 2D WAXS and SAXS to quantify the crystallographic and lamellar orientation distributions during deformation. This analysis confirms how crucial microstructure is for mechanical properties and will contribute to more reliable lifetime predictions for semi-crystalline PEEK.