| Abstrakt: |
We investigate molecular weight effects on the melting temperature of a branched semicrystalline polymer. Flory’s model for infinite chains in equilibrium is extended to the case of finite chains. This model predicts an increase in the melting temperature of crystals of fixed size with increasing molecular weight. Recent experimental studies of Alamo, Chan, and Mandelkern, however, provide evidence to the contrary. In order to explain, at least in part, their observations, we compute the expected number of chain segments that are available for taut folds. The number of such segments increases with molecular weight, and, hence, contribute an increasingly powerful suppressing force on melting temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
