Etude de la cristallisation des polymères I. Structure lamellaire de polyoxyéthylènes de faible masse moléculaire

Abstract

Abstract Seven low molecular weight polyethyleneoxide samples have been studied by means of low‐angle X‐ray diffraction technique and dilatometry. The thickness of the crystalline lamellae of the polymer has been found exactly to correspond to the known length of the full extended polymer chains, the gap between the lamellae being of the order of 7 Å. The relationship between the experimental value of molar volume and the molecular weight has been established and the specific volume of crystalline polyethyleneoxide has been deduced. Near the melting temperature of the polymer a fractionation effect has been found to occur and its dependance upon the crystallization temperature has been examined.