Investigation of polymer order by X‐ray diffraction

The determination of per cent crystallinity in polymers by x‐ray diffraction techniques is generally based on a two‐phase system. Complications arise when intermediate phases are present reducing the significance of the value obtained, To overcome this difficulty, a procedure is described which yields the maximum information from the x‐ray diagram of a polymer. The use of this procedure with oriented nylon 6 establishes the presence of a paracrystalline a phase. The effect of this phase on the density of oriented materials is emphasized. In conclusion, it is suggested that crystallinity, as a degree of order, can best be represented as a tensor rather than a scalar property.