| Abstract: | Isothermal radial growth rates (G) of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) spherulites in immiscible blends with a polyethylene based ionomer (1) partially neutralized with Zn+2, (2) completely acidified, and (3) completely esterified have been determined at crystallization temperatures between 118 and 124°C by time-lapse photomicroscopy. In these blends iPP spherulites grow with increased G as compared to that of pure iPP. This behavior is attributed to increases in the rate of transport, due to limited miscibility induced by mechanical mixing. However, subtle differences in the melting behavior suggest that changes in Spherulite morphology may also be a contributing factor. |
