SynopsisAfter annealing at low temperature, linear polyethylene displays an unusual feature in its specific heat curve. On heating, a maximum is observed just above the annealing temperature. The magnitude of this excess specific heat is dependent on the initial level of crystallinity and the temperature and time of annealing. The maximum does not reappear on subsequent cooling followed by rapid heating and represents the formation and disappearance of an unstable structure. These results can be interpreted as a crystallization-melting phenomenon and are consistent with the wide-angle x-ray diffraction patterns. The optimum effects are observed in the @-region (-50°C to O O C ) and could possibly lead to complications in interpreting other phenomena in this temperature range.
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