MORPHOLOGY OF POLYETHYLENE CRYSTALLIZED FROM THE MELT UNDER PRESSURE,
Abstract
The morphology of linear polyethylene crystallized under pressures up to 5300 atmospheres was in vestigated. Electron micrographs of fracture surfaces obtained from these samles shw that the majority of the polymer, at the highest pres sures, crystallizes in the form of extended chain lamellae which can be as thick as 3 microns. Electron diffraction patterns show that the molecules arel to the lamellae. At lower pressures part of the polymer crystallizes in the form of folded chain lamellae, the proportion increasing with decreasing pressure. Well de fined kink bands can be observed in the thicker extended chain lamellae. It is suggested that either molecular weight fractionation, or an end to end alignment of the molecules and subsequent folding, takes place during the growth of the extended chain lamellae. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 31, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0413152
Entities
People
- Bernhard Wunderlich
- Franklin R. Anderson
- Phillip H. Geil
- Tamlo Arakawa
Organizations
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute