Question

Describe the chemical structural features that can increase the crystallinity of the polymer.

Answer 1

The polymer structures tend to be very complex because they involve large molecules. Due to the complexity of the structure, the chain disorder, misalignment, etc. 5-95% of the volume of a polymer can be non-crystalline.

The degree of crystallinity will increase with,

1). Slower cooling rates

2). Simplicity of chain structure

3). Simplicity of mer chemistry

4). Less side branching

5). Chain regularity (isotactic or syndiotactic)

The more randomness and irregularity, the less crystallinity. When crystallinity increases the density, strength, heat resistance and creep resistance will also increase