ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY STUDIES OF POLYCAPROLACTONE RINGED SPHERULITES*

The surface morphology of free-surface PCL ringed spherulites was investigated by using atomic forcemicroscopy. The spherulites were obtained by crystallization of PCL/PVC blends of different compositions. It was found thatthe ringed spherulite exhibited regularly fluctuating rings on its surface. Compared with the bright-dark ring pattern of thespherulite under a polarizing microscope, it was proved that the optical characteristics of the ringed spherulite underpolarizing microscope coincided with its surface characteristics. The bright rings in polarizing micrographs of the spherulite coincided with the convex rings on its surface, while the dark rings coincided with the concave rings.