A MACROKINETIC APPROACH TO CRYSTALLIZATION MODELING OF SEMICRYSTALLINE THERMOPLASTIC MATRICES FOR ADVANCED COMPOSITES

A theoretical macrokinetic model for the crystallization of polyphenyl ene sulphide (PPS) matrix for high performance composites is presented . The model, accounting for the induction time due to nucleation, is a ble to predict crystallization changes in -isothermal and non- isother mal conditions, including cold and melt crystallization, and quenching effects. Moreover, a simple expression is proposed for the temperatur e dependence of the kinetic constant allowing a straightforward calcul ation of model parameters. Theoretical results are in good agreement w ith calorimetric experimental data obtained in a wide range of thermal conditions. Time temperature transformation plots, constructed from t he model developed for isothermal (TTT) and non-isothermal (CCT) condi tions, are presented providing a fundamental tool for understanding th e crystallization behaviour of semicrystalline matrices and to determi ne the most appropriate processing conditions.