An application of modulated-temperature differential scanning calorimetry to the study of crystallisation kinetics in poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) blends

In order to evaluate the application of modulated-temperature differential scanning calorimetry (M-TDSC) to the study of the crystallisation kinetics of semi-crystalline polymers, isothermal crystallisation kinetics in poly(e psilon-caprolactone)-poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) blends have been invest igated. M-TDSC data were analysed according to the method suggested by Toda et al. [Toda A, Oda T, Hikosaka M, Saruyama Y. Polymer Communications 1997 ;38:231]. The temperature dependence of d In G/dT (G is the crystal growth rate), determined by M-TDSC agreed approximately with the experimental data and theoretical values reported by Wang and Jiang [Wang Z, Jiang BZ. Macro molecules 1997;30:6223]. Their experimental data were obtained from direct measurements of spherulite growth rate by optical microscopy. Our theoretic al and M-TDSC experimental results showed that the d In G/dT versus tempera ture plots are not sensitive to the non-crystalline component in the poly(e psilon-caprolactone)-poly(styrene-co-acryloniyrile) blends. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.