An overview of amorphous chains in block and segmented copolymers: Their influence on bulk structure and material properties

The influence of amorphous chains on bulk structure and material properties is examined in block and segmented copolymer systems whose components are in a variety of morphological states including: rubber-rubber; rubber-glass; glass-glass; rubber-crystalline glass-crystalline; and, crystalline-crystalline. The effects of external variables, such as temperature, time, and internal variables, such as molecular weight and composition ratio on the magnitude of the role played by the amorphous chains in these systems are discussed.