The effect of silica on the crystallization of isotactic poly(propylene oxide)

Abstract

Abstract The addition of one part, by weight, of fine particle silica to one hundred parts isotactic poly(propylene oxide) causes a retardation in the rate of radial growth of spherulites at all temperatures between 268 and 313 K. The results have been fitted empirically by use of the Hoffman‐Lauritzen equation suitably modified to account for effects due to the presence of the silica. At certain temperatures the presence of the silica also causes a change in the morphology of the spherulites.