Crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) induced by inorganic compounds. I. Crystallization behavior from the glassy state in a low‐temperature region

Abstract

Abstract The kinetics of isothermal crystallization from the glassy state at low temperatures and the morphology of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) filled with additives are reported. Talc, kaolin, silicon oxide, and titanium oxide have been used as fillers; they act as effective nucleating agents for PET. The overall rate of crystallization depends on the volume concentration, the size distribution, and the nucleating ability of the additives. An electron microscopic study reveals a transcrystalline morphology at the surface of the filler particles. The occurrence of transcrystallinity is attributed to extensive heterogeneous nucleation induced at the filler surface. From the shape of the crystallization isotherms, it can be concluded that the crystallization mechanism depends on the type of filler.