Morphology of crystalline polymers

Later work showed that crystalline domains are most often made up of flat rib- 

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Electron Microscopy can be used for resolution of smaller objects the practical limit of resolution being a few angstrom units. Electron Microscopy has been used in the study of the morphology of crystalline polymers. The usual techniques of replication, heavy-metal shadowing, and solvent etching are widely used. The direct observation of thin specimens, like polymer single crystals, is also possible and permits the observation of the electron-diffraction pattern of some specimen area, which is invaluable for... 

The thermal properties of fillers differ significantly from those of thermoplastics. This has a beneficial effect on productivity and processing. Decreased heat capacity and increased heat conductivity reduce cooling time [16]. Changing thermal properties of the composites result in a modification of the skin-core morphology of crystalline polymers and thus in the properties of injection molded parts as well. Large differences in the thermal properties of the components, on the other hand, lead to the development of thermal stresses, which also influence the performance of the composite under external load. 

The complicated morphology of crystalline polymer solids and the coexistence of crystalline and amorphous phases make the stress and strain fields extremely nonhomogeneous and anisotropic. The actual local strain in the amorphous component is usually greater and that in the crystalline component is smaller than the macroscopic strain. In the composite structure, the crystal lamellae and taut tie molecules act as force transmitters, and the amorphous layers are the main contributors to the strain. Hence in a very rough approximation, the Lennard-Jones or Morse type force field between adjacent macro-molecular chain sections (6, 7) describes fairly well the initial reversible stress-strain relation of a spherulitic polymer solid almost up to the yield point, i.e. up to a true strain of about 10%. 

Dynamic mechanical tests provide useful information about the viscoelastie nature of a polymer. It is a versatile tool for studying the effects of molecular structure on polymer properties. It is a sensitive test for studying glass transitions and secondary transitions in polymer and the morphology of crystalline polymers. 

Morphology of Crystalline Polymers and Methods for Its Investigation Table 5.1... 

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