Morphology-property studies of amorphous polycarbonate

Abstract The relationship between morphology and several physical properties (tensile, thermal, dielectric, and dynamic mechanical properties) of amorphous poly-bisphenol-A-carbonate was examined as a function of annealingtime at temperatures below the glass transition temperature (Tg). The change in structure of the amorphous films was studied by means of X-ray diffraction and with electron diffraction using a rotating sector in an electron microscope as well as by electron micrographs of replicas of surfaces prepared by etching with dilute aqueous NaOH solutions. The changes in morphology and physical properties caused by annealing below Tg are, in general, closely related. The relationship cannot be explained only by changes in free volume; it is proposed that changes in the degree and type of order (nodular structure) also play a role. The design and application of the rotating sector is described in an Appendix.