On the influence of initial morphology on the internal structure of highlydrawn polyethylene

Morphological investigations on a range of polyethylenes, which differ with respect to their molecular weight characteristics and which possess quite distinctly different superstructures, non-spherulitic and banded spheruliti c, have been performed to follow structural developments during drawing. Of particular significance is the detailed examination of transverse sections , in addition to the more commonly undertaken longitudinal studies. The key point that emerges is the retention of a memory of the original superstruc ture by the highly drawn products. This is strikingly evident in the latera l morphology, which clearly transforms in a continuous fashion, in contrast to the axial morphology, which is transformed out of all recognition by dr awing. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.