An enquiry is presented into the nature and origin of thermoreversible gelation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). In line with a previous paper it is demonstrated by direct x‐ray diffraction evidence that the origin of the gelation is crystallization, and that this crystallinity can be conspicuously apparent even for the usual technological polymer. In addition some unusual diffraction effects become apparent such as do not obviously follow from existing notions of the PVC structure. Combined infrared dichroism and x‐ray studies revealed that these new effects are attributable to a two‐component nature of the crystallinity where the components are distinguished by their orientation behavior, lateral extension, and possibly morphology of the crystallites. Some of the crystals orient with their a axes (type A crystals) and some with their c axes (type B crystals) along the stretch direction. Other more complex orientability differences are also manifest during film formation. Crystals B are smaller, and are believed to correspond to the network forming junctions, hence to fringed micellar crystals. Crystals A have a less evident connection with the network and are hypothesized to be of lamellar character, the behavior of which is closely simulated by lamellar crystal additives (stabilizer crystals). High‐temperature x‐ray work revealed no melting of crystals even in the temperature range where endotherms appear in the thermograms.
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