Structure-property relationships in thermoplastic matrices

In this contribution, structural levels existing in common thermoplastics a re defined, followed by a brief discussion of the mechanisms of formation o f long-chain molecules. In the nea step, morphology of semicrystalline ther moplastics is discussed in considerable detail. Special paragraphs are devo ted to the quantitative description of the relationship between various str uctural levels and elastic moduli, yield strength and fracture toughness fo r semicrystalline and glassy thermoplastics used as matrices for filled cou mpounds. The last paragraph contains a detailed discussion of the structure -property relationships in PP.