Question

For polymer structure analysis with purposes given below; how microscopy (light and/or electron) can be used? How can you get information? Which method/tool you choose to determine the given properties? Please explain in detail.
1. Chemical Industry and Manufacturing
2. Crystallization
3. Failure Analysis Surface Topography

Answer 1

1.In chemical industry and manufacturing polarizing microscopes are used for polymer structure analysis.We know that plastic is a type of polymer which is produced by the chemical and manufacturing industries by various steps.These type of polymers play an important role in industries in the field of chemical,automobile,aerospace, construction etc.polarizing microscopes are used to determine fine materials.In chemical industry these type of microscopes are used for proper analysis and verify whether it follows the particular standards in every part with greater accuracy of the microscopes.

2In crystallisation upright polarizing microscopes are used to determine the crystal growth.crystal growth affects the properties of the polymer but we can determine the biodegradability.By using this microscopic technology we can view polymer morphology,structure and crystalline properties such as crystal temperature.The crystallisation of polymers differ according to their properties and this have to be observed closely.During this analysis we use upright polarizing microscope to obtain the clear picture of crystallisation.

3.In failure analysis we use polarizing microscopes and in surface topography we use confocal microscopy technique.we can use polarizing microscopes to determine failures in the manufacturing process of parts and products.For example consider the crack in a plane and it is very minute,we use microscopy to identify the origin of crack in the structure.we can identify this crack because it show bi-refringence due to internal rearrangement of molecules.The stress in polymers can be identified in this method and the mechanical parts which undergoes strain.The suface topology is determined using confocal microscopy and in this method the surface of the material is analysed in detail and this method is effective.

The information that we obtain in the analysis of microscopy in polymer structure analysis is different according to the area in which it is established.polarizing microscopes are the tool used in common for this method because it gives an accurate detail.