Influence of Crystallization Conditions on Relaxation Properties of Polymer Near‐Surface Layers

Relaxation properties of polymer near-surface layers were investigated with the help of thermoluminescent method using Nanoluminograph (PlasmaChem GMbH, Germany). The gel- and melt-crystallized films from PE of different molecular weight were studied. The light sum of thermoluminescence in the temperature range of various relaxation transitions was compared. It is found that it is primarily controlled by the type of morphology forming during crystallization and the arrangement of the structural units on a surface. The glass transition temperature in near-surface layers appeared to be lower that that in the bulk. Bulk glass transition temperature was determined by radiothermoluminescence, DMA and DSC techniques.