Cocrystallization of Blends of Ethylene/1‐Olefin Copolymers: An Investigation with Crystallization Analysis Fractionation (Crystaf)

Abstract

Abstract Summary: Crystallization analysis fractionation (Crystaf) is a technique for estimating the chemical composition distribution (CCD) of semi‐crystalline copolymers. Cocrystallization may happen during Crystaf analysis, affecting Crystaf profiles and leading to misinterpretation of the CCD. This study investigates this phenomenon and determines the main factors leading to cocrystallization by analyzing a series of ethylene/1‐olefin copolymers. We considered three factors affecting cocrystallization: comonomer type, cooling rate and chain crystallizability. The results showed that cooling rate and similarity in chain crystallizability are the key factors regulating cocrystallization during Crystaf analysis. Crystaf analysis of blends of copolymers. magnified image Crystaf analysis of blends of copolymers.