Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Study of polyethylene spherulites using scanning electron microscopy

  • Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A detailed scanning electron microscopy study has been made of spherulites in meltcrystallized polyethylene. In particular, unetched, ion etched, nitric acid etched and plastically deformed polyethylene samples have been examined. It appears that the spherulites visible on the surface of these samples consist of lamellae which possess alternate right- and left-handed partial twists. It is quite possible that enough material was removed from the surfaces of the samples by ion etching that the spherulites visible on etched samples could be representative of bulk samples. While questions remain both about the half twist model and about the current full twist model, the half twist model deserves consideration as an alternate model for spherulite structure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C. W. Bunn andT. C. Alcock,Trans. Faraday Soc. 41 (1945) 317.

    Google Scholar 

  2. A. Keller,Phil. Mag. 2 (1957) 1171.

    Google Scholar 

  3. F. P. Price,J. Polymer Sci. 37 (1959) 71.

    Google Scholar 

  4. A. Keller,ibid 39 (1959) 151.

    Google Scholar 

  5. F. P. Price,ibid 39 (1959) 139.

    Google Scholar 

  6. H. D. Keith andF. J. Padden, Jun,ibid 39 (1959) 101.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Idem, ibid 39 (1959) 123.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Y. Fujiwara,J. Appl. Polymer Sci. 4 (1960) 10.

    Google Scholar 

  9. J. Dlugosz andA. Keller,J. Appl. Phys. 39 (1968) 577.

    Google Scholar 

  10. A. Keller andS. Sawada,Makromol. Chem. 74 (1964) 190.

    Google Scholar 

  11. P. H. Geil, “Polymer Single Crystals” (Interscience, New York, 1963).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Idem, J. Polymer Sci. 57 (1961) S10.

    Google Scholar 

  13. A. Keller,Physics Today 23 (1970) 42.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Janice E. Breedon, J. F. Jackson, M. J. Marcinkowski, andM. E. Taylor Jun.,J. Mater. Sci. 8 (1973) 143.

    Google Scholar 

  15. H. Shonhorn,Macromolecules 1 (1968) 145.

    Google Scholar 

  16. R. P. Palmer andA. Cobbold,Makromol. Chem. 74 (1964) 174.

    Google Scholar 

  17. D. T. Grubb andA. Keller,J. Mater. Sci. 7 (1972) 822.

    Google Scholar 

  18. I. Heber,Kolloid Z. 215 (1967) 145.

    Google Scholar 

  19. D. T. Grubb, A. Keller, andG. W. Groves,J. Mater. Sci. 7 (1972) 131.

    Google Scholar 

  20. J. L. Hay andA. Keller,Kolloid Z. 204 (1965) 43.

    Google Scholar 

  21. H. Kiho, A. Peterlin, andP. H. Geil,J. Appl. Phys. 35 (1964) 1599.

    Google Scholar 

  22. J. D. Hoffman andJ. I. Lauritzen Jun.,J. Res. Nat. Bur. Stand. 65A (1961) 297.

    Google Scholar 

  23. J. M. Schultz andD. R. Kinloch,Polymer 10 (1969) 271.

    Google Scholar 

  24. C. W. Hock,J. Polymer Sci. Part A-2 4 (1966) 227.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Janice E. Breedon

    Present address: Division of Macromolecular Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering Materials Group, and Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

    Janice E. Breedon, J. F. Jackson & M. J. Marcinkowski

Authors
  1. Janice E. Breedon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. F. Jackson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. J. Marcinkowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. E. Taylor Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Now deceased, formerly with the Chemistry Department, University of Maryland.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Breedon, J.E., Jackson, J.F., Marcinkowski, M.J. et al. Study of polyethylene spherulites using scanning electron microscopy. J Mater Sci 8, 1071–1082 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00632757

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00632757

Keywords

Search

Navigation