A study of the elongation ratio of deformed spherulites

In order to describe mathematically small-angle light scattering in samples containing undeformed spherulites or spherulites deformed by tensile forces we assume a function for the light scattering intensity distribution for Hv patterns. This assumed function is a very good approximation to Stein's equations but has a simpler mathematical form. It is also a good approximation of the distributions experimentally obtained for light scattered from spherulites. By using this function, a new method of calculating the elongation ratio λS of deformed spherulites is elaborated. It consists of measuring the azimuthal angle μmax for which the value of the intensity of light scattered at the vertical angle 0 < θ < π/2 is a maximum. Using this method, the spherulite deformation in PE films was studied. The results are compared with those obtained by Samuels' method.