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The effect of molecular weight on the crystallization kinetics of polycaprolactone
Author(s) -
Jenkins M. J.,
Harrison K. L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.733
Subject(s) - crystallinity , polycaprolactone , avrami equation , crystallization , differential scanning calorimetry , materials science , nucleation , reptation , kinetics , crystallization of polymers , thermodynamics , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , polymer , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
The crystallization kinetics and degree of crystallinity of polycaprolactone (PCL) were studied using the technique of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystallization exotherms measured using DSC were analyzed using a modified Avrami equation. The modification limited the analysis of the data to the primary crystallization process, where the Avrami equation is applicable. Both the degree of crystallinity and primary composite rate constant were found to decrease with increasing molecular weight. The observations have been explained in terms of the unified reptation‐nucleation theory. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.