| Abstract: | Copolymers of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene that contain small amounts of units derived from perfluorohexylethylene show improved resistance of thermal stress cracking. This is a consequence of effects of these units on structural parameters of both the crystalline and amorphous phases. Those of the crystalline phase entail growth and organization of lamellae, whereas those of the amorphous phase are related to conformation and packing of polymer chains. The crystalline phase consists exclusively of alternately arranged units of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene. The amorphous phase is characterized by chain segments composed of randomly distributed units derived from ethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, pairs of these two units, and units derived from perfluorohexylethylene. |
