Non-Isothermal Crystallisation Kinetics of Polypropylene at High Cooling Rates and Comparison to the Continuous Two-Domain pvT Model

The modelling of the correlation between pressure, specific volume and temperature (pvT) of polymers is highly important for applications in the polymer processing of semi-crystalline thermoplastics, especially in injection moulding. In injection moulding, the polymer experiences a wide range of cooling rates, for example, 60 degrees C/min near the centre of the part and up to 3000 degrees C/min near the mould walls. The cooling rate has a high influence on the pvT behaviour, as was shown in the continuous two-domain pvT model (CTD). This work examined the Hoffman-Lauritzen nucleation and growth theory used in the modified Hammami model for extremely high cooling rates (up to 300,000 degrees C/min) by means of Flash differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements. The results were compared to those of the empirical continuous two-domain pvT model. It is shown that the Hammami model is not suitable to predict the crystallisation kinetics of polypropylene at cooling rates above 600 degrees C/min, but that the continuous two-domain pvT model is well able to predict crystallisation temperatures at high cooling rates.