ISSN:
0098-1273
Keywords:
Physics
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Physics
Notes:
Transparent strands of high-density polyethylene of unusually high c-axis orientation have been produced by a solid-state extrusion, involving pressure, temperature, and deformation, in an Instron capillary rheometer. Measured values for tensile modulus are higher than previously reported for any polyolefin. Previous modulus and electron microscopic data are consistent with a strand morphology comprised (≤20%) of of extended chain crystals. The remainder resembles an oriented fibrillar morphology such as found in highly drawn polyethylene. In the present study, fuming nitric acid etching of the ultraoriented strands, in combination with gel permeation chromatography (GPC), has provided incisive structural information. The strands exhibit ≥3X the resistance to acid degradation shown by conventionally drawn polyethylene. GPC molecular weight distributions (MWD) of etched samples show a single broad peak with a prominent high molecular weight tail. The crystal size, represented by the MWD, is in agreement with the crystal long period determined by small-angle x-ray scattering. The absence of multiple peaks in the etched MWD's is evidence of limited chain folding. The extended chain content, determined from the etched MWD's, is a strong function of strand formation temperature and is in agreement with the fraction of extended chains calculated from modulus measurements.
Additional Material:
9 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pol.1975.180131013
