Properties of PVDF films stretched in machine direction

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films possess superior piezoelectric properties due to the β-phase obtained by methods, such as addition of nanofillers, application of high electric field, use of polar solvents and mechanical stretching. Simultaneous stretching and heating of the films can reduce porosity, increase transformation from α-phase to β-phase, and hence, improve their piezoelectric properties. This article presents the effects of stretching PVDF films on the β-phase formation and the resulting mechanical properties. A custom-designed stretching unit with roller mechanism and heating provision was employed for the purpose. The 200% stretched films at 100°C showed 86.79% β-phase, which is in correlation with X-ray diffraction peaks at 2 θ = 20.3–20.6°. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the stretched films revealed spherulitic to lamellar transformation and decrease in porosity. Stretching increased crystallinity from 32.99% to 44.84%. Nanoindentation results showed increase in hardness and Young’s modulus from 23.33 MPa to 93.3 MPa and 0.483 GPa to 1.816 GPa, respectively. Tensile strength increased from 4.72 MPa to 21.02 MPa. The experiments were conducted using L ₉ orthogonal array and the results were analyzed using analysis of variance and gray relational analysis.