Summary
Measurements have been made using a polarized optical microscope equipped with hot stages to investigate the surface-induced crystallization of syndiotactic polystyrene(s-PS) on high modulus(HM) carbon fibers. Both the induction times and crystal growth rates at various crystallization temperatures were measured. Based on the theory of heterogeneous nucleation, the interfacial free energy difference function Δσ of s-PS on HM carbon fibers was determined to be 0.61±0.02 erg/cm2. No difference in the crystal growth rate of s-PS has been found in either spherulites in the bulk or transcrystalline layers at the interface. From the morphology studies, it has been found that the thickness of the transcrystalline layer increases with crystallization temperatures, from 5 to 13 μm in the temperature range of 247–269°C. The efficiency of HM carbon fibers to induce the transcrystalline layer is found better in s-PS matrix than that in i-PP matrix based on the surface energies of the constituents.
(Keywords: transcrystalline layer · syndiotactic polystyrene · high modulus carbon fibers)
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 14 July 1999/Revised version: 30 September 1999/Accepted: 5 October 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, C., Chen, CC. Surface-induced crystallization of syndiotactic polystyrene on high modulus carbon fibers. Polymer Bulletin 43, 433–440 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002890050632
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002890050632