| Abstract: | The non-isothermal crystallization behaviour of high purity β-phase and α-phase polypropylene (PP) and their calcium carbonate-filled composites was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry. High purity β-PP polymer was prepared by adding an effective β-nucleator consisting of equal amounts of pimelic acid and calcium stearate. The crystallization temperature and crystallization rate coefficient of pure β-PP polymer were considerably higher than those of the α-PP polymer. This was due to the β-PP polymer containing nucleating agents, which act as nuclei for β-spherulites. The calcium carbonate content had little or no effect on the crystallization rate coefficient and Ozawa exponent of the β-phase PP in the composites. On the other hand, the crystallization temperature, crystallization rate coefficient and Ozawa exponent of the α-phase PP composites depended on the calcium carbonate loading. The effect of calcium carbonate additions on the crystallization of α-PP and β-PP is discussed. ©1997 SCI |
