The behavior of poly[bis(trifluoroalkoxy)phosphazene] (PBFP) has been studied from 25 to 250 "C approximately by investigating the influence of temperature and cycle time upon creep compliance, volume change, spherulitic morphology, birefringence, and thermal properties. Unfractionated PBFP samples of high and low molecular weight were studied. The effect of aging upon properties, especially through the mesophase transition T(l), were examined. Noticeable differences in mechanical behavior were observed depending upon the history or state of the sample. Hysteresis in the transition temperature determined by differential scanning calorimetry, creep compliance measurements, and dilatometry was observed. The curves of reduced densification and hardening due to aging measured dilatometrically and in creep, respectively, were superposable. Thus the decreases in volume and compliance appear to be mutually proportional to the degree of mesophase transformation from the 2D to the 3D crystalline state. This change can be described by a growth process with a E nucleation parameter of 680 K. This value is high compared to that observed in ordinary polymeric crystallization. Well-defined negatively birefringent spherulite films were obtained in solution-cast films. Melt-crystalliied f i s usually contained needlelike aggregates of well-oriented crystals.Whenever PBFP specimens are heated through T(1) the X-ray diffraction patterns degenerate to a single reflection, suggestive of a pseudohexagonal crystalline modification, which persists between T(l) and T,. The optical retardation measured within a single spherulite increases noticeably upon heating through this transition. However, afterward it remains invariant until the sample is heated to ita true melting temperature when the birefringence finally reaches zero. Whenever the sample is melted, the spherulitic structure is lost.