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The transparency of crystalline polymers
Author(s) -
Pritchard Ruth
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760040114
Subject(s) - opacity , materials science , polymer , confusion , transparency (behavior) , light scattering , optical transparency , scattering , optics , chemical physics , reflectivity , polymer science , composite material , optoelectronics , computer science , physics , psychology , computer security , psychoanalysis
Much past confusion has originated from attempts to describe the complete optical properties of a plastic in terms of a few ill‐defined parameters. Simple light‐scattering theory and studies of morphology have been combined in this article to suggest the causes of polymer opacity; methods cited for the improvement of transparency and properties of reflectance have been re‐examined in this light. It is concluded that the optical properties displayed by a polymer which is allowed to crystallize without external stress depend on fundamental molecular and morphological parameters. The extent to which these inherent characteristics can be modified depends on such widely different factors as the Tg of the polymer and the physical form of the desired article.