| Abstract: | The crystallization behavior of random block copolymers of (tetramethyl-p-silphenylenesiloxane) and dimethylsiloxane has been studied over a wide range of temperature and composition. The copolymer melting temperature, glass transition temperature, rate of crystallization, crystallinity, and density decrease in magnitude as the dimethylsiloxane block content are raised in this two-component system. The crystal end-surface (interfacial) energy increases as the dimethylsiloxane mole fraction decreases in accord with other morphological observations. The morphological changes observed in these copolymers are consistent with the conclusions deduced from the crystallization kinetics. Negatively, birefringent spherulites are observed over the entire crystallization range investigated. |
