Elastic interaction between linear polymeric chains and periodic potentials

The elastic displacement of an axially stressed chain within crystalline surroundings, which was first treated by Chevychelov, is reexamined. We compare the results obtained for homogeneously distributed masses with that for discrete atoms, considering the nonuniformity of the potential of a crystal containing hydrogen bonds. In polyethylene and polyamide the maximum mechanical excitation of a chain penetrates into the crystal a distance of 15 to 20 chain atoms. The effect of the relative position of the crystal boundary on the stress‐strain field was studied and the energy of defects calculated.