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Spherulite crystallization in bisphenol‐A‐polycarbonate of varying molecular weight distribution
Author(s) -
Fryer R. E. J.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1974.070180805
Subject(s) - spherulite (polymer physics) , dispersity , polycarbonate , crystallization , materials science , gel permeation chromatography , polymer , molar mass distribution , amorphous solid , polymer chemistry , bisphenol , solvent , bisphenol a , chemical engineering , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering , epoxy
The spherulitic structure of films of fractionated bisphenol‐A‐polycarbonate having a range of different average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution has been studied using the polarization microscope. Spherulitic crystallization was induced in specimens by the action of solvent or solvent vapor at room temperature or by isothermal heat treatment at 180°C. These phenomena were all shown to be a function of the average molecular weight and polydispersity of the material. The glassy amorphous and spherulite polymer phases were investigated using a microscopic etching technique and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Results of this investigation have established that considerable segregation by molecular weight occurs during the crystallization process. Spherulites produced have been shown to exhibit variation in morphologic texture depending on conditions of induction and polydispersity of the polymer. Examples of unusual and previously unreported spherulites have been observed.