A study of chain motions in some poly(ethers) by relaxation techniques: the influence of crystallinity and crystalline morphology

The dynamic mechanical and dielectric properties of a number of morphologically different samples of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(tetramethylene oxide) are reported over the temperature range -150°C to above the glass transition temperature. The dynamic mechanical measurements are by a vibrating reed technique at essentially constant frequency and the dielectric measurements are made over the range 10²–10⁶ Hz. Poly(ethylene oxide) exhibits two low temperature dielectric loss peaks: the higher temperature process (termed β-process) is ascribed to the glass-rubber transition of the amorphous phase; and the lower temperature process (termed α-process) is ascribed to a local mode oscillation of the chains. The polymer exhibits only one mechanical loss peak, a β-peak. [Continues.]