Modeling of crystallization kinetics in fiber reinforced composites

The kinetics of spherulitic crystallization in fiber reinforced thermoplast ics was determined by means of the theoretical model based on the statistic al approach and by and the computer simulation of spherulitic crystallizati on. The computer simulation of the spherulites nucleation and growth was pe rformed to verify the derived expressions and to visualize the polymer morp hology. The obtained results indicate that the classic Avrami equation is i nappropriate for the description of systems with fibers serving as addition al nucleation sites. The kinetics of crystallization is governed by the nuc leation inside a polymer matrix and at fiber surfaces as well as by fibers content and fiber radius. The developed model permits to predict the half-t ime of crystallization in fiber reinforced systems.