Step deformation of solid amorphous polymers

The variation of step deformation kinetics in solids is studied as a functi on of morphological factors. Oscillations of creep rate at micrometer incre ments of the amount of deformation, which reflect the step nature of the pr ocess, are investigated from an interferogram. It is shown that the plastic ization of polymethyl methacrylate by dibutyl phthalate blurs the steps, wh ile their height varies insignificantly. The results are explained using th e concept of the netlike structure of amorphous polymers. The data obtained confirm the universal nature of jumps as a mode of evolution of deformatio n in various solids. The jumps reflect the cooperative nature of motion of kinetic units, and the regular variation of the characteristics of the jump s lends support to the definition of creep as a process of structural self- organization. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/ Interperiodica".