| Abstract: | Preliminary results are reported on the use of gel permeation chromatography in morphological studies of bulk polymers and fibres. Several samples of bulk isotropic and drawn polyethylene were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography following nitric acid oxidation. In all cases suitable samples showed two peaks in the molecular weight distribution, suggesting a qualitative similarity with results for single crystals. It is concluded that the present data are consistent with chain folding in bulk polymers, both in the isotropic and oriented states, with a less degree of regularity than exists in single crystals. |
