Effects of thermal history on crystal structure of poly(phenylene sulphide)

Abstract

The lattice parameters of film-grade poly(phenylene sulphide), PPS, have been studied at room temperature as a function of thermal history. Effects of crystallization temperature and annealing time for films crystallized from the rubbery amorphous state were investigated using wide- and small-angle X-ray diffraction, bulk density and thermal analysis techniques. The dimensions of the crystal lattice are found to depend upon prior thermal treatment conditions. As the cold crystallization temperature, T c, increases, or the annealing time at fixed temperature increases, the bulk density, degree of crystallinity, and crystal perfection increase. With an increase in annealing time at fixed temperature, lattice a, b, and c decrease leading to an increase in lattice density. As the cold crystallization temperature increases, lattice density also increases as a result of a systematic decrease in lattice parameters a and b.