RDF analysis for the degree of interchain ordering in amorphous solid polyethylene

The differential radial distribution function (DRDF) of solid polyethylene amorphized by γ irradiation has been derived from the measurements of x‐ray diffuse scatterings. The first halo in the intensity distribution has been found to play the most important role on the degree of interchain ordering. The existence of interchain ordering which reaches as far as ∼20 A has been proved in the amorphized polyethylene. The degree of ordering differs in accordance with the dose and atmosphere of irradiation and the heat treatment.