6533b858fe1ef96bd12b57f8

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Use of electron microscopy to obtain quantitative information about the melting behavior of branched polyethylene

subject

description

The melting behavior of low-density polyethylene was studied by electron microscopy. The experimental techniques and method of evaluation chosen were such as to deliver quantitative numerical data. The values which could be derived from suitably prepared histograms were the minimum, maximum, average, and most probable values of the crystal thickness d and long-spacing L. All these values were in good agreement with small-angle x-ray scattering results. The histograms also show the distribution functions for d and L, so that effects leading to changes in the average values can be observed in detail. The results provide further support for a model of melting and crystallization proposed in a previous paper.