Heat capacity and other thermodynamic properties of linear macromolecules. II. Polyethylene

The heat capacity of polyethylene from 0 K to 600 K is reviewed using measurements on 46 samples reported in the literature. The crystallinity dependence is evaluated critically and a set of recommended data for completely crystalline and amorphous polyethylene is derived. Entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs energy functions are calculated. Polyethylene can serve as a standard material for the thermodynamic functions of a simple linear macromolecule. This paper is the second in a series which will ultimately cover all heat capacity measurements on linear macromolecules.