Investigation of Polymer Relaxation after Deformation by Positron Annihilation

ABSTRACTThe relaxation of polyimid films after the axial tension has been investigated by measuring life-time of positrons and angular correlation of annihilation photons. The nonmonotonic change of mean life-time while relaxing the free film has been found. Two range of changes of positron-sensitive properties can be seen: “rapid” relaxation for 4–5 hours (characterized by reducing life-time of short-lived component) and “slow” relaxation (characterized by reducing the intensity of long-lived component). The results of this investigation have been compared with those of measuring of sample density and dielectric losses. The possible explanations and the- changes of mechanizms of relaxation with the conditions of deformation and “the rest” of polymers are analyzed.