THE INFLUENCE OF CRYSTALLINITY DISTRIBUTION ON SMALL-ANGLE X-RAY-SCATTERING FROM SEMICRYSTALLINE POLYMERS

Theoretical x-ray scattering curves have been developed for the lamellar structure in semicrystalline polymers in which there are present distributions of lamellar thickness and crystallinity. The models have been tested against samples of linear low-density, low-density and crosslinked polyethylenes. When variation in crystallinity is present in a material, a major effect is an increase in the magnitude of near-zero angle scattering. The Bragg maximum can appear as an ill-defined hump on an apparently high level of background scattering. The shape of the Bragg peak is influenced more by crystallinity distribution than by lamellar thickness distribution. Of the polymers we have studied so far only linear low density polyethylene shows significant crystallinity distribution effects. A "rule-of-thumb" method for rapid estimation of crystallinity distribution effects has been developed, obviating the need for lengthy simulation.