Observation of twisting growth of branched polyethylene single crystals formed from the melt

The twisting growth of a branched polyethylene single crystal formed from t he melt was observed directly by means of transmission electron and atomic force miscroscopy. The surface stress asymmetry arising from the asymmetry of the surface-fold structure and, chain tilting resulted in the twisting g rowth of the single crystals. The handedness of the twisting lamellae was c onsistent With the chain-tilting direction. When multilayer lamellae piled up in a thicker film, the lamellar twist would be inevitably causing screw dislocations.