boutdiameter
Boutdiameter is a term used in polymer science and textile engineering to denote the diameter of a localized bulge, or bout, along a filament or polymer strand. A bout refers to a bead-like swelling that can develop during extrusion, drawing, or spinning of viscoelastic fibers; the boutdiameter is defined as the maximum cross-sectional diameter observed within the bulge region, measured perpendicular to the fiber axis.
Measurement of boutdiameter typically relies on high-resolution imaging. Methods include optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, or
Applications of boutdiameter include quality control in fiber spinning and extrusion, where it serves as an
Relation to other terms: boutdiameter is distinct from the overall fiber diameter and from longitudinal bead
History and usage: the term is used in a limited, niche context within recent literature and is