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Modeling Thermal Properties for Copolymers Covering a Comonomer Composition Range up to 20%
Author(s) -
Suárez Inmaculada,
Ortega Jorge,
Coto Baudilio
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
macromolecular theory and simulations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.37
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-3919
pISSN - 1022-1344
DOI - 10.1002/mats.201400044
Subject(s) - comonomer , differential scanning calorimetry , copolymer , post metallocene catalyst , materials science , crystallization , thermodynamics , polymer chemistry , metallocene , polymerization , polymer , composite material , physics
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis for ethylene/propylene copolymers synthesized in the whole composition range with a supported metallocene catalyst has been carried out. The melting/crystallization process can be determined both in the ethylene and propylene rich regions covering a comonomer composition range of up to 20%. Two peaks are detected showing two different transitions ( T m1 and T m2 ). A procedure is developed for modeling DSC melting curves by using a model previously reported by Kissin. Two contributions are considered for the copolymer crystallization in connection with a random comonomer distribution. Such model favourably describes experimental DSC curves and T m1 and T m2 values. The obtained parameters follow a regular trend in accordance with its physical meaning. Standard deviation for melting temperatures reveals accurate calculated values. The analysis of the parameter trend allows a fit against composition and predicting melting temperatures, yielding also accurate values.