The two-phase structure of segmented block copoly(ether ester)

The annealing induced morphological changes in isotropic block copoly(etherester)s are investigated by small angle X-ray scattering methods. The observed results are consistent with a lamellar model which is comprised of a crystalline core of thickness 35 to 45 Å, a diffuse boundary zone of width 9 Å, and an amorphous layer which is varying strongly in thickness. The enhanced crystallinity of the samples annealed at higher temperatures is mainly due the lateral growth of the lamellae; the long period increases by not more than 20%. The scattering power of the samples is explained by means of an equivalent two-phase model in which the crystalline phase has the same structure as theα-form of poly(butylene terephthalate), whereas the amorphous phase is a mixture of the uncrystallized ester segments and the ether segments. The crystallinity determined from the scattering power is very much higher than that determined from thermoanalytical investigations.