Registration temperature effect in polymers: Physico-chemical aspects

Registration temperature effect in two different polymers -poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polypropylene (PP) films - is investigated. Temperature effects on track formation are considered in terms of molecular mobility and relaxation transitions. The track etch rate is measured as a function of irradiation temperature in the range of 77 to 373 K. The obtained results are compared with the radical yields, radiothermoluminescence curves and thermally stimulated currents measured with the aim of detecting changes in the mobility of macromolecules and radiolysis intermediates. It is found that the change of the track etch rate with changing registration temperature correlates with gamma- and glass transitions in PP and with beta- and glass transitions in PET.