Crystalline or, more properly, semi-crystalline polymers continue to
present major challenges and opportunities to scientists and
technologists alike. On the one hand, scientific understanding of their
structure and properties still lags behind that of other economically
important, but less complicated materials. On the other hand, there
remains very considerable potential for improving properties in systems
designed for specific pur- poses. Ways are only just being found of
transferring inherent molecular properties (such as high modulus) to the
macromolecular solid. Beyond these are many possibilities of
manipulating the organization of chemical and physical textures towards
desired ends. The chapters in this volume are reports, by wen-known and
active researchers, on some of the important recent developments ofthese
themes. Grubb begins with the fundamental and central problem of
determining polymeric microstructure. Polymers sutTer by comparison with
other materials in that it has not generany been possible to exploit the
high resolution of the electron microscope to determine their
microstructure in adequate detail. However, recently, ways have been
found of studying representative lamellar textures in melt-crystallized
polymers. When fully exploited these must add greatly to our detailed
knowledge and provide a firmer fundamental base for future developments.
Radiation damage bears the primary responsibility for restricting
electron microscopy. In his chapter, Kener recounts how appreciation of
this fact led him into a fascinating study of ever deeper aspects of
radiation damage in polyethylene over two decades, often controversiany
but invariably clarifying the basic understanding of an area now of
increasing commercial importance.
