Long range intermixing of paraffin molecules in the crystalline state

Evidence is presented for the unexpected effect that long chain paraffin molecules, at least as long as C₃₆H₇₄, can intermix when comprised by separate macroscopic crystals in contact, below the melting point and even below the rotary phase transition. This effect implies much greater mobility of paraffin chains in what is regarded as solid phase than normally envisaged and is likely to be of consequence for reorganization in polymer crystals.