Differential thermal analysis of high polymers. II. Effects of diluents on melting behavior of polyethylenes

Studies of the nature and magnitude of the interaction between a polymer and a diluent are of both theoretical and practical importance. The effects of several liquid and solid diluents on the melting behavior of both high‐ and low‐density polyethylene have been studied by differential thermal analysis. The depression of melting point was related by a thermodynamic equation to the type and amount of the diluent. The thermodynamically derived true heat of fusion of polyethylene agrees well with the currently accepted value.