Transcrystallization in syndiotactic polypropylene induced by high-modulus carbon fibers

SUMMARY

It was first shown that transcrystallization can be induced in syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) when a carbon fiber (CF) of high-modulus (HM) is embedded in the melt of sPP crystallizing under quiescent conditions. High-tenacity carbon fiber (HTCF), on the other hand, did not cause transcrystalline growth. Coating of HMCF by silicon carbide (SiC) stopped the transcrystallization of sPP. The difference in the morphology of the transcrystalline layer between isotactic PP (iPP) and sPP was revealed by phase contrast light (PCLM), scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) taken from the etched surface of single fiber microcomposite specimens.