CRYSTALLITE DAMAGE STUDIES ON IRRADIATED POLY(VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE)

The effect of gamma-radiation on crystallite of poly(vinylidene fluoride) was studied with X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing macroscopy techniques. It has been shown that the degree of crystallite damage relates to the imperfection of crystallites. The lower the imperfection of crystallite, the stronger the radiation-induced crystallite damage. The long period, lamellae thickness, contour and optical anisotropy of spherulites in irradiated samples remains unchanged. ''Crystalline core damage mechanism'' gives a more satisfactory explanation of the results.