Further annealing studies of the calcium salt of an ethylene‐methacrylic acid copolymer

Abstract

Abstract Annealing studies of the calcium salt of an ethylene‐methacrylic acid copolymer are reported. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were applied to the investigation of the effect of polyethylene crystallization on ionic structure as a function of annealing temperature and time. The spectroscopic changes observed in the spectra of the calcium salt annealed at 80°C differ from those seen in the spectra of the calcium salt annealed at room temperature. These changes are interpreted in terms of the multiplet‐cluster model and the effect of the polyethylene‐type crystallinity on the ionic microstructure.