Network junctions in polyethylene thermo-reversible gels

Infrared and low-frequency Raman data evidence the presence of the crystalline phase in the gels prepared from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The straight chain segment length distribution covers the range from 1 to 10 nm with a sharp maximum at 3 nm. The latter peak is attributed to chain-folded crystals while the wings of the distribution are referred to the contribution of adjoined straightened portions of different molecules. The crystalline sites of both kinds serve as junctions in newly formed polymeric network.