Morphological effects of annealing in linear polyethylene

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Observations are presented of the microstructural changes occurring on annealing in a bulk, unfractionated, Marlex 6002 linear polyethylene. The material was isothermally crystallized at 110°C, and annealed at 118°C, 123°C, and 126°C, for 3 and 72 hours. The microstructure was studied by electron microscopy of fracture surface replicas and acid-etched lamellar fragments. A direct correspondence between the annealing process observed here and observations in the annealing of single crystals was noted. Electron fractographs showed the development of thickened ridges along lamellae faces with perforations at the ridge boundaries. Later stages showed multiple ridge formation. Etched fragments showed essentially the same results. Histograms of the etched fragment thicknesses showed the development of a bimodal distribution apparently relating to values for unaffected lamellar interiors and for ridges.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: