Vp. Cyras et al., Crystallization kinetics by differential scanning calorimetry for PCL/starch and their reinforced sisal fiber composites, POLYM ENG S, 41(9), 2001, pp. 1521-1528
Calorimetric results obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) ha
ve been used to develop a kinetic model for the crystallization behavior of
PCL/starch and their composites with sisal fibers. The model takes into ac
count the effects of nucleation and crystal growth, and it is able to descr
ibe the isothermal and nonisothermal conditions, especially for the low coo
ling rates. The effect of the sisal fiber has also been analyzed. The Avram
i exponent was 2.0 for the crystallization of PCL/starch and sisal fiber re
inforced composite. The activation energy of the crystallization process wa
s 4.3 and 4.0 kJ/moI for PCL/starch and sisal composite, respectively. The
induction time of the crystallization and the crystallization rate was not
influenced by the presence of sisal fiber.