| Abstract: | The effects of thermal treatment at temperatures in the 177–250°C. range for 2 hr. on solution-grown single crystals of poly-4-methylpentene-1 have been studied by using electron microscopy. Crystals were grown both from 0.02% pentyl acetate solution at 110°C. and from 0.02% toluene solutions at temperatures less than 80°C. A number of distinct types of crystals have been obtained in the same or in separate solutions depending on the crystallization conditions. These crystals have some morphological characteristics in common such as a square outline with well-defined faces. The contrasting features include such things as a marked difference in relative size, with the smaller crystals showing extensive overgrowth and collapse markings. Observations by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) on the melting behavior of these various crystals show the presence of distinct and characteristic melting points. The effects of a given thermal treatment depend on the type of crystals used, with the larger crystals showing greater stability. The first effects are the appearance of lines, notches at the edges, and holes. An increase in temperature results in an increase in these effects with the formation of fibrillar structures. Consideration is given to the influence of molecular conformation and molecular chain folding on the observed results. |
