| Abstract: | The melting behavior and crystallization kinetics of poly(butylene terephthalate/thiodipropionate) (PBT) copolymers were investigated using the differential scanning calorimetry technique. Multiple endotherms typical of PBT were observed in the copolymers under investigation and were found to be influenced both by crystallization temperature (Tc) and composition. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements permitted the identification of the crystalline structure of PBT in all the copolymers investigated. By applying the Hoffman–Weeks method, the equilibrium melting temperature of the copolymers was derived. Isothermal crystallization kinetics were analyzed according to Avrami's treatment. Values of the exponent n close to 3 were obtained, independent of Tc and composition, results in agreement with it being a crystallization process originating from predetermined nuclei and characterized by three‐dimensional spherulitic growth. The introduction of butylene thiodipropionate units was found to decrease the PBT crystallization rate. The heat of fusion (ΔHm) was correlated to the specific heat increment (Δcp) of samples of different degrees of crystallinity, and the results were interpreted based on there being an interphase, whose amount was found to increase as the sulfur‐containing unit content was increased. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2003–2009, 2003 |
