Abstract
Tensile and piezoresistance measurements have been made on (SN) x samples ranging in thickness from 1 to 75 μm. Results are also given of tensile testa on trigonal selenium and on fibres of polyethylene terephthalate which have some structural similarities to (SN) x . The mechanical properties of (SN) x relate to the polymerization process. Good samples have a Young's modulus of 2 × 1010 K. m−2 and a breaking stress of 2 × 108 N. m−2 along the direction of the fibres. Linking between fibres has been observed in the electron microscope. The electrical conductivity along the fibres decreases with increasing tensile stress.