Investigation of craze development using small-angle X-ray scattering of synchrotron radiation

The development of crazes in polycarbonate was investigated with the method of ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) of synchrotron radiation. Me asurements at different temperatures and with different draw rates were car ried out. The two-dimensional scattering patterns were analyzed by means of a fibrillar model of the craze. The geometrical parameters of the craze as a function of the macroscopic draw ratio were determined by using a curve- fitting procedure. From the measured values of the diameter and the mean di stance of the fibrils, it is possible to calculate the volume fraction vi o f the fibrils directly. Additional scattering caused by submicrocracks is d iscussed.