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The Relationship between Craze Structure and Molecular Weight in Polystyrene as Revealed by µSAXS Experiments
Author(s) -
Zafeiropoulos Nikolaos E.,
Davies Richard J.,
Schneider Konrad,
Burghammer Manfred,
Riekel Christian,
Stamm Manfred
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.200600453
Subject(s) - crazing , polystyrene , materials science , small angle x ray scattering , polymer , composite material , polymer chemistry , scattering , optics , physics
Summary: The phenomenon of crazing in polymers has received considerable attention in the past as it is thought to play a pivotal role in determining the performance of polymers under load. One aspect of particular interest has been the interconnection between molecular structure, craze characteristics, and macromechanical properties. In the present study, three different grades of polystyrene (PS) with different molecular weights have been systematically investigated in situ with synchrotron radiation microfocus small‐angle X‐ray scattering (µSAXS). The results suggest that there are different mechanisms operating in PS samples with low and very high molecular weights, compared to those of medium‐to‐high molecular weight. Previously it was thought that, above the critical molecular weight of entanglement, the effect of molecular weight on PS's mechanical behaviour at room temperature was negligible.Craze evolution as a function of strain in PS.