Crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate) as revealed by microhardness

The microhardness technique has been used to follow the crystallization of poly(ethylene naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate) (PEN) from the glassy state. T he crystallization temperatures investigated ranged from 423 to 448 R. Resu lts are analyzed on the basis of the Avrami equation. Avrami parameters are discussed in the light of the morphology developed during the isothermal c rystallization of PEN, as revealed by preceding electron microscopic studie s [Balta Calleja et al. J Macromol Sci Phys 1998;37:411]. The temperature d ependence of microhardness for amorphous PEN has been also investigated fro m room temperature up to similar to 30 K above the glass transition tempera ture, T-g, of the material. From these measurements, the T-g value has been derived in agreement with preceding calorimetric data [Buchner et al. Poly mer 1989;30:480]. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.