| Abstract: | Sorbed water molecules in PET (around 1% in mass) lead to classic plasticizing effects, basically evidenced by a decrease of the glass transition (Tg) and of the cold crystallisation (Tc) temperatures with increasing water content. During drawing of dry PET film and depending on the draw ratio, the initial amorphous phase is oriented at first, then a strain‐induced crystallisation appears. This work deals with the conjugate effects of drawing and water sorption in PET films drawn in hot water. Differential scanning calorimetry and birefringence measurements shown that drawing performed in hot water leads to modifications of Tg and Tc without modification of the degree of crystallinity. Moreover, the formation of water clusters is observed when the strain‐induced crystalline phase occurs. |
