Temperature-induced reversible changes in long spacing in oriented polyethylene

The possible explanations for the temperature-induced reversible changes in long spacing in polymers are reviewed. The observation of particularly large changes in certain irradiated samples of oriented low-density polyethylene is reported. By combining these results with those obtained by DSC and other means it is concluded that the spacing changes are caused by partial melting of small lamellae within the lamellar stacks which alters the mean periodicity. The requirement of an irregular lattice explains why the effect is observed primarily in bulk samples and especially in materials which contain intrinsic irregularities