Abstract
Quenched and slow cooled as well as isothermally crystallized poly(tetramethylene succinate)(PTMS) films at two different temperatures were prepared. In the process of hydrolysis of the four specimens, structural changes such as the crystallinity, crystal size distribution, lattice parameter, lamellar thickness, long period and surface morphology were investigated by using wide and small angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrolytic degradation of quenched film was faster than that of slow cooled and isothermally crystallized films. The film crystallized at 100$\^{C}$ exhibited extensive micro voids and thus showed faster degradation than that crystallized at 75$\^{C}$, demonstrating surface morphology is another important factor to govern degradation rate. The crystallinity of the specimen increased by 5-10% and long period decreased after hydrolysis for 20 days. At the initial stage of degradation, the lamellar thickness of quenched film rather increased, while that of slow cooled and isothermally crystallized films decreased. The hydrolytic degradation preferentially occurred in the amorphous region. The hydrolytic degradation in crystal lamellae are mainly at the crystal surfaces.