Modeling the effects of reinforcements on the crystallization of polymers

An approach for modeling the isothermal crystallization of reinforced polym ers is presented. It is based on the classical phase change model of Avrami and uses expressions for the volume of intersection between the spherulite s and the reinforcements. The cases of cylindrical (fibers) and spherical ( particles, bubbles) inclusions are particularly of interest, since they are encountered in a variety of composites. The evolution of the crystallinity can be computed for various nucleation processes. The effects of surface-n ucleated spherulites on the overall crystallization process can also be inc orporated and the influence of parameters such as the reinforcement volume fraction and radius and the nucleation density are also discussed.