ABSTRACT
As mentioned previously, almost any effect on the polymer results in a change of the interfacial surface area of the polymer and, consequently, these effects are accompanied by the mass transfer of material from the surface into the bulk and vice versa. Generally speaking, the rearrangement of this type is typical of all solids, not only polymers. However, in the polymers the phenomena of this type are far more distinctive and their intensity is higher because of the unique ability of the polymers for high inelastic strains. Evidently, high strains are accompanied by the mass transfer of large quantities of the material and this is also reflected in their structural–mechanical behaviour.
