X-Ray Diffraction Studies of Crystallization in Elastomers

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Abstract
In general, extension of an elastomer results in a degree of preferred orientation of the molecular chains composing the amorphous phase. Therefore the amorphous fraction of a partially crystalline elastomer must be related to the integrated intensity of the amorphous diffraction halo rather than to the intensity at any one azimuth. A noteworthy exception is natural rubber, for which simple meridional measurements suffice. A Geiger-counter apparatus with beam monitor and temperature-controlling accessories is described for making accurate measurements of the x-ray intensities scattered at any azimuth and at small or moderate Bragg angles. Measurements of crystallinity in natural rubber are in essential agreement with the findings of previous workers. When polybutadiene is extended at room temperature, molecular orientation occurs, but little if any crystallization. Measurements at lowered temperatures show that the crystalline fraction becomes appreciable at about 0°C and that it increases with further reduction in temperature and with increasing extension ratio. Preferred orientation of the crystalline regions in extended polybutadiene has been measured quantitatively with the object of providing jointly with birefringence measurements a value of the birefringence of a single crystal of polybutadiene.