The structure and morphology of crystalline polymers

The main features of the structure and morphology of crystalline polymers are presented. The morphology is complicated in that three different levels of organization are involved: molecular (chain conformation and packing in the unit-cell), lamellar, a level of organization specific to crystalline polymers (which is a result of chain folding), and spherulitic. In addition, there is often a tight interplay between these levels of organization, for which dimensional scales range from Angstroms to micrometers and even millimeters. Both the ''spontaneous'' architecture, and the various means (mechanical, use of nucleating agents, etc...) which make it possible to alter it are considered.