Verification of the microdomain model of crystallinity in polyvinyl chloride by electron microscopy

Abstract

A study of the fine scale microstructure of PVC was carried out using a combination of high resolution transmission electron microscopy and digital image analysis techniques. The images obtained contained a degree of order of the approximate size and distribution as predicted by the microdomain model of crystallinity in PVC. The microdomain model for crystallinity in PVC has been built up from previous studies using various analytical techniques including wide- and small-angle x-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Earlier studies using transmission electron microscopy did not find any direct evidence supporting this model. Significant advances in both electron microscope and image processing technology had taken place since the earlier microscopic studies. The TEM imaging and image analysis procedures that have been utilized in this research may be applicable to the imaging of very fine scale ordering in other polymers.