Annealing and Melting of Polyoxymethylene Crystals Polymerized Within Irradiated Trioxane Crystals

Abstract

Morphological changes produced by the annealing and melting of the polyoxymethylene crystals that polymerize inside irradiated trioxane crystals were observed. The crystals in which the polyoxymethylene chains were oriented parallel to the threefold axis of the trioxane underwent major reorganization when held at 184°C for 30 sec. The polyoxymethylene crystals in which the chain axis was inclined at a large angle with respect to the threefold axis of the trioxane transformed and melted at temperatures approximately 5°C lower.