Polymer creep in a static magnetic field

By noting changes in the color of samples in a polarization microscope with varying degree of birefringence, the effect of a weak static magnetic fields (2 and 4 kOe) on molecules of glassy polymers has been observed. Variations in the nonmonotonicity of the rate of discontinuous creep at + 18 degrees were studied interferometrically. It is shown that the abruptness of the deformation jumps varies in a magnetic field, where this abruptness is assumed to be due to the existence of strong physical junctions between the kinetic units of deformation. The reactivity of the polymers to the magnetic field stands in satisfactory correspondence with their magnetic susceptibilities. Results show that such nonmagnetic materials as glassy polymers can noticeably alter their deformational properties in response to the action of magnetic fields. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.