CRYSTALLIZATION BEHAVIOR OF POLY(TETRAMETHYLENE SUCCINATE)

The bulk crystallization behaviour of poly(tetramethylene succinate) ( PTMS) has been studied in terms of cooling rate and supercooling. The crystallinity of PTMS increased with decrease in cooling rate during t he cooling process from the melt. The equilibrium melting point and th e glass transition temperature of PTMS were found to be about 132 degr ees C and -38 degrees C, respectively. The PTMS spherulites appeared t o be negatively birefringent, and their linear growth rates were measu red at various temperatures isothermally. The growth rate data obtaine d could be examined in terms of the kinetic theory of crystallization; thus the nucleation parameters of PTMS were explained quantitatively. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.