Summary
Fractography by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of samples of a low molecular weight, high-density polyethylene from the melt isothermally crystallized at 125°C, together with SEM on these samples treated with p-xylene (including fracture surfaces), polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and gel permeation chromatography have provided evidence that fracture preferentially develops along a weakest link path defined by regions of segregated low molecular weight material. The segregated material is to a considerable extent accumulated in the spherulite boundaries.
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Gedde, U.W., Eklund, S. & Jansson, J.F. Microscopic observations relating fracture morphology to molecular weight segregation in melt-crystallized polyethylene. Polymer Bulletin 9, 90–97 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00275574
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00275574