An analysis of the reflective component of small‐angle X‐ray scattering patterns from crazed polystyrene

Abstract An investigation of the reflective component of small‐angle x‐ray scattering patterns of polystyrene crazes is performed. It is shown that the strong streak parallel to the tensile axis consists predominantly of reflected radiation, while the remaining pattern is composed entirely of diffracted radiation. X‐ray reflection off unparallel regions of crazes is discussed and the nature of the reflection is also considered in terms of collimation quality. An analysis methodology based on craze tip angular distribution is proposed.