Oriented recrystallization of pre-oriented thin polymer films

The effects of a thin vacuum evaporated carbon film on the subsequent melti ng and recrystallization behavior of pre-oriented thin polymer films were s tudied by transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. It is found that a thin vacuum deposited carbon layer can keep the orientation of the pre-oriented thin polymer films after a complete melting and recrystal lization. This process is repeatable. The recrystallization of the polymers can be performed even with the polymer films healed to a temperature more than 100 degrees C above their melting temperatures and kept at that temper ature for more than 10 h. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.