Crystalline Distortion

Fig. 6. The influence of the filling of the dxy orbital on the crystalline distortions in loellingites, arsenopyrites and normal marcasites...

Properties. The crystallinity of FEP polymer is significantly lower than that of PTFE (70 vs 98%). The stmcture resembles that of PTFE, except for a random replacement of a fluorine atom by a perfluoromethyl group (CF ). The crystallinity after processing depends on the rate of cooling the molten polymer. The presence of HFP ia the polymer chain teads to distort the highly crystallized stmcture of the PTFE chaia and results ia a higher amorphous fractioa. 

Fig. 2. The distribution of silicon—oxygen—silicon bond angles in vitreous siUca (22,25). The function V(a) is the fraction of bonds with angles normalized to the most probable angle, 144°. This distribution gives quite a regular stmcture on the short range, with gradual distorting over a distance of 3 or 4 rings (2—3 nm). Crystalline siUca such as quartz or cristobaUte would have a narrower distribution around specific bond angles.

The presence of hemoglohin-S (Hb-S) ia red blood cells leads to the formation of Hquid crystalline aggregates iaside the ceU under conditions of low oxygen tension (43,44). The morbid aggregates ultimately arrange themselves iato a gel-like material composed of long fibers that extend the entire length of the ceU and distort its usual shape. 

Potassium Phosphates. The K2O—P20 —H2O system parallels the sodium system in many respects. In addition to the three simple phosphate salts obtained by successive replacement of the protons of phosphoric acid by potassium ions, the system contains a number of crystalline hydrates and double salts (Table 7). Monopotassium phosphate (MKP), known only as the anhydrous salt, is the least soluble of the potassium orthophosphates. Monopotassium phosphate has been studied extensively owing to its piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties (see Ferroelectrics). At ordinary temperatures, KH2PO4 is so far above its Curie point as to give piezoelectric effects in which the emf is proportional to the distorting force. There is virtually no hysteresis. 

Film or fibers derived from low molecular weight polymer tend to embrittle on immersion ia acetone those based on higher molecular weight polymer (>0.60 dL/g) become opaque, dilated, and elastomeric. When a dilated sample is stretched and dried, it retains orientation and is crystalline, exhibiting enhanced tensile strength. The tensile heat-distortion temperature of the crystalline film is iacreased by about 20°C, and the gas permeabiUty and resistance to solvent attack is iacreased. 

The term alumina hydrates or hydrated aluminas is used in industry and commerce to designate aluminum hydroxides. These compounds are tme hydroxides and do not contain water of hydration. Several forms are known a general classification is shown in Figure 1. The most weU-defined crystalline forms ate the trihydroxides, Al(OH) gibbsite [14762-49-3], bayerite [20257-20-9], and nordstrandite [13840-05-6], In addition, two aluminum oxide—hydroxides, AIO(OH), boelimite [1318-23-6] and diaspote [14457-84-2], have been clearly defined. The existence of several other forms of aluminum hydroxides have been claimed. However, there is controversy as to whether they ate truly new phases or stmctures having distorted lattices containing adsorbed or intedameUar water and impurities. 

Titanium Trifluoride. The trifluoride (121) is a blue crystalline soHd, density 2980 kg/m, ia which the titanium atoms are six-coordinate at the center of a slightly distorted octahedron, where the mean Ti—F distance is 197 pm. Titanium trifluoride [13470-08-1] is stable ia air at room temperature but decomposes to titanium dioxide when heated to 100°C. It is insoluble ia water, dilute acid, and alkaUes but decomposes ia hot concentrated acids. The compound sublimes under vacuum at ca 900°C but disproportionates to titanium and titanium tetrafluoride [7783-63-3] at higher temperatures. 

Polymers with differing morphologies respond differentiy to fillers (qv) and reinforcements. In crystalline resins, heat distortion temperature (HDT) increases as the aspect ratio and amount of filler and reinforcement are increased. In fact, glass reinforcement can result in the HDT approaching the melting point. Amorphous polymers are much less affected. Addition of fillers, however, intermpts amorphous polymer molecules physical interactions, and certain properties, such as impact strength, are reduced. 

Distortion in mouldings can be worse in crystalline polymers than in amorphous plastics. This is because additional stresses may be set up as a result of varying crystallinity from point to point in the moulding so that the shrinkage on cooling from the melt also varies from point to point. This uneven shrinkage sets up stresses which may lead to distortion. 

Meta-phenylenediamine, a crystalline solid with a melting point of about 60°C, gives cured resins with a heat distortion temperature of 150°C and very good chemical resistance. It has a pot life of six hours for a 200 g batch at room temperature whilst complete cures require cure times of four to six hours at 150°C. About 14 pts phr are used with the liquid epoxies. The main disadvantages are the need to heat the components in order to mix them, the irritating nature of the amine and persistent yellow staining that can occur on skin and clothing. The hardener finds use in the manufacture of chemical-resistant laminates. 

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