Process research history, reflections

The increased use of optical and electron microscopy applied to polymer research has been the result of widespread acceptance of the techniques and extended property requirements of the polymer materials. It is known that the structures present in a polymer reflect the process variables, and further that they greatly influence the physical and mechanical properties. Thus, the properties of polymer materials are influenced by their chemical composition, process history and the resulting morphology. Morphological study involves two aspects prior to the study itself selection of instrumental techniques and development of specimen preparation methods. Structural observations must be correlated with the properties of the material in order to develop an understanding of the material. 

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