Study of amorphous-crystal interfaces in polymers using the wicket model: estimates of bounds on degree of adjacent reentry

Abstract An attempt to ascertain the structure of the crystal-amorphous interface in polycrystalline polymers of lamellar morphology is made by discussion of an idealization of loops called wickets. Equations which arise from the constraints of density at the interface are obtained that relate the various kinds of wickets to their lengths and to interface thickness. A measure of the degree of adjacent reentry is defined and bounds on the extent of adjacent reentry are obtained. It is found that the larger the assumed value of average loop size the larger the amount of adjacent reentry. Infinite average loop size results in complete adjacent reentry.