Propylene oxide crystallization kinetics

The stereosequence length also has a marked effect on the isothermal crystallization kinetics of the propylene oxide polymers. These studies and analysis of results on crystallization kinetics will be described in detail in another communication. Here we summarize briefly the main conclusions of the effect of stereosequence length on the isothermal crystallization rates. 

The crystallization kinetic results for propylene oxide polymers of different steric regularity are summarized in Table III. 

Table III. Effect of Stereo regularity on Crystallization Kinetics of Propylene Oxide Polymers...

The effect of stereosequence distribution on crystallization kinetics Is dramatic. We have previously reported our studies on the Important effects of stereosequence length on crystallization kinetics and morphology of propylene oxide polymers (22). Here we summarize the main conclusions of this study, so that results on the time-temperature dependence of mechanical response may be fully appreciated In the light of these conclusions. 

The effect of poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, on the crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene oxide) has been investigated using the Avrami equation to analyze the results (80). The crystallization-rate constant, k, decreased as the concentration of PMMA increased. This and other results indicated that, in the blends, crystallization proceeds by a predetermined nucleation and this is followed with a two-dimensional growth. There has been evidence of melt compatibility for these two polymers (81-84) see Section V. Crystallization behavior of blends of poly(ethylene oxide) with poly(propylene oxide) (85) and with poly(vinyl acetate) (83) have been studied, as well as star and block copolymers of ethylene oxide and styrene (86). 

An analysis of the overall crystallization rate with composition requires that the comparison be made either at constant undercooling or at one of the nucleation temperature quantities, T / T AT or T /T(AT). This requirement is essential because of the importance of nucleation to the crystallization process. The overall crystallization kinetics of a variety of polymer-diluent systems have been reported. Many different relations between the overall crystallization rate and composition have been observed. For example, as is shown in Fig. 13.17 there is a continuous decrease in the crystallization rate with dilution for linear polyethylene-a-chloronaphthalene mixtures.(42) The results for poly(trans-1,4-isoprene) in methyl oleate follow a similar pattem.(80) In contrast, the rates for poly(dimethyl siloxane) crystallizing from toluene, at compositions V2 = 0.32 to 0.79, are the same at all undercoolings, but are faster than that of the pure polymer.(78) Another example is found with poly(ethylene oxide)-diphenyl ether mixtures.(77) In this case the crystallization rates for the pure polymer and composition = 0.92 to 0.51 are the same. However, the rates for the more dilute mixtures, V2 = 0.04 and 0.30 are lower. For poly(decamethylene adipate)-dimethyl formamide mixture the rates for the pure polymer and V2 = 0.80 are the same.(77) The mixture of isotactic poly(propylene) with dotricontane shows interesting behavior.(81) At all undercoolings studied, the crystallization rate initially decreases with dilution, reaches a minimum in the range V2 — 0.7 (a maximum in ti/2) and then slowly increases with further dilution, up to V2 = 0.10. 

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