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Microstructure of processed thermoplastics
Polymer Testing 4 (1984) 139
Microstructure of Processed Thermoplastics
M . J. Bevis, J. B o w m a n a n d D. V e s e l y Department of Non-Metallic Materials, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
SUMMARY The formulation of a plastics compound and the processing conditions used to convert the compound into an artefact together determine its microstructure and physical properties. A wide range of techniques is used to characterise the microstructure of a plastic. Several of these were described with reference to the plastics used for the manufacture of thermoplastics pipeline systems, and included light and electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and x-ray microanalysis, as applied for the characterisation of polyethylene, polybutylene, polypropylene, A B S and PVC. Reference was made to macroscopic as well as microscopic inhomogeneities in the structure of proposed thermoplastics containing low concentrations of polymer compound additives. One of the examples dealt with in detail related to the structure of unplasticised PVC, and incorporated macroscopic methylene chloride etching and highresolution transmission electron microscopy studies.
139
Microstructure of Processed Thermoplastics
M . J. Bevis, J. B o w m a n a n d D. V e s e l y Department of Non-Metallic Materials, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
SUMMARY The formulation of a plastics compound and the processing conditions used to convert the compound into an artefact together determine its microstructure and physical properties. A wide range of techniques is used to characterise the microstructure of a plastic. Several of these were described with reference to the plastics used for the manufacture of thermoplastics pipeline systems, and included light and electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and x-ray microanalysis, as applied for the characterisation of polyethylene, polybutylene, polypropylene, A B S and PVC. Reference was made to macroscopic as well as microscopic inhomogeneities in the structure of proposed thermoplastics containing low concentrations of polymer compound additives. One of the examples dealt with in detail related to the structure of unplasticised PVC, and incorporated macroscopic methylene chloride etching and highresolution transmission electron microscopy studies.
139