Morphology development of isotactic poly(4-methylpentene-1) during melt crystallization

The morphology of melt-crystallized isotactic poly(4-methylpentene-1) sampl es, prepared by varying crystallization temperature and time, as well as an nealing temperature, has been probed by small and wide angle x-ray scatteri ng, and electron microscopy. This was then correlated with the thermal prop erties investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. Relationships amo ng melting behavior, morphological evidences and X-ray results have been fo und. Different populations of lamellae, grown with a time-dependent sequenc e, can be obtained: their relative amount and thermal stability is determin ed by crystallization and annealing conditions. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Pu blishers.