Crystalline polymer morphology, basic

The crystalline plastics (basic polymers) tend to have their molecules arranged in a relatively regular repeating structure such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). This behavior identifies its morphology that is the study of the physical form or structure of a material. They are usually translucent or opaque and generally have higher softening points than the amorphous plastics. They can be made transparent with chemical modification. Since commercially perfect crystalline polymers are not produced, they are identified technically as semicrystalline TPs. The crystalline TPs normally has up to 80% crystalline structure and the rest is amorphous. 

The basic morphological unit of a crystalline polymer, usually ribbonlike or plate like in shape. Generally (if ribbonlike), about 10-50 nm thick, 100 nm wide, and 1,000 nm long. 

The basic research on the crystallization in more complicated systems started recently to find ouf unique morphologies formed in polymer systems. The crystallization of block copolymers is a striking example of such crystallization, which is intimately dependent on the molecular characteristics of crystalline block copolymers. For example, the crystallization of crystalline-amorphous diblock copolymers yields the lamellar morphology or crystalline microdomain structure depending on xN of block copolymers, Tg of amorphous blocks, crystallization conditions, and so on. These kinds of crystallization have the possibility of developing new crystalline polymer materials. Therefore, we strongly anticipate future advances in this research field. 

In polymer crystallization the challenge is to identify and clarify the transformations by which chain molecules pass from a disordered, molten state to the ordered supra-molecular organization known as the semi-crystalline state. The subject is highly relevant in terms of both basic science and technology it is indeed clear that many modern applications require complete control of the structure and the morphology of polymers from macroscopic dimensions down to below the nanoscale. As a simple example, making the crystallites in a polymer liber equally oriented and reducing the number of chain folds (or hairpins) therein, usually turn out to be very favorable requisites for mechanical performance. 

Various process steps were used to determine their Influence on the morphological nature of liquid crystalline copolyester films. Compression molding was used to form quiescent films, while extenslonal deformation above and below the onset of fluidity, as well as shear deformation above the onset of fluidity was used to make non-quies-cent films. It Is a basic result that molecular orientation can only be achieved when the deformation is done while the polymer is In a liquid crystalline melt state. Experimental details are given In the subsection Materials and Processing, while an interpretation is offered in the discussion in the subsection Morphological and Process Consideration. ... 

The kinetic restraints that are placed on the crystallization of polymers make it difficult, if not impossible to directly determine their equilibrium melting temperatures. The directly observed melting temperatures are primarily a reflection of the structure and morphology of the actual crystalline systems. The primary factors involved are the crystallite thickness, the interfacial free energy, and the influence, if any, of the noncrystalline region. There are, however, indirect methods by which to estimate the value of T. One of these is a theoretical method. The others are based on extrapolative procedures. To properly use the T values that are tabulated, and to understand their limitations, the basic assumption involved and the problems in execution need to be recognized. 

One of the most basic questions regarding blends is whether the two polymers are miscible or exist as a single phase. In many circumstances, the polymers will exist as two separate phases. In this case the morphology of the phases is of great importance. In the case of a miscible single-phase blend, there is a single Tg, which is dependent on the composition of the blend. When two phases exist, the blend will exhibit two separate Tg values, one for each of the phases present. In the case where the polymers can crystallize, the crystalline portions will exhibit a melting point even in the case where the two polymers are a miscible blend. Miscible blends of commercial importance include PPO-PS, PVC-nitrile rubber, and PET-PBT. 

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