An approach for modeling the isothermal crystallization of reinforced polymers is presented. It is based on the classical phase change model of Avrami and uses expressions for the volume of intersection between the spherulites and the reinforcements. The cases of cylindrical (fibers) and spherical (particles, bubbles) inclusions are particularly of interest, since they are encountered in a variety of composites. The evolution of the crystallinity can be computed for various nucleation processes. The effects of surface-nucleated spherulites on the overall crystallization process can also be incorporated and the influence of parameters such as the reinforcement volume fraction and radius and the nucleation density are also discussed.
References
1.
1. T. Krause, G. Kalinka, C. Auer, and G. Hinrichsen. Computer simulation of crystallization kinetics in fiber-reinforced composites. J. App. Pol. Sci., 51:399-406, 1994.
2.
2. A. Benard. A model for phase change kinetics in polymer composites with significant fiber nucleation. Acta Materiala, 46:5259-5270, 1998.
3.
3. A. Benard and S. G. Advani. An analytical model for the spherulitic growth in fiber reinforced polymers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 70:1677-1687, 1998.
4.
4. N. Billon, J. M. Escleine, and J. M. Haudin. Isothermal crystallization kinetics in a limited volume: A geometrical approach based on Evans’ theory. Colloid and Polymer Science,267:668-680, 1989.
5.
5. J. M. Haudin and N. Billon. Solidification of semi-crystalline polymers during melt processing. Progress in Colloid and Polymer Science, 87:132-137, 1992.
6.
6. N. Billon, C. Magnet, J. M. Haudin, and D. Lefebvre. Transcrystallinity effects in thin polymer films: experimental and theoretical approach. Colloid and Polymer Science, 272:633-654, 1994.
7.
7. J. M. Schultz. Effect of specimen thickness on crystallization rate. Polymer, 1995.
8.
8. M. Avrami. Kinetics of phase change 1: General theory. Journal of Chemical Physics,7:1103-1112, 1939.
9.
9. M. Avrami. Kinetics of phase change 2: Transformation-time relations for random distribution of nuclei. Journal of Chemical Physics, 8:212-224, 1940.
10.
10. M. Avrami. Kinetics of phase change 3: Granulation, phase change and microstructure. Journal of Chemical Physics, 9:177-184, 1941.
12. B. Wunderlich. Macromolecular Physics, volume 2. Academic Press, 1976.
13.
13. A. Benard. The effects of particulate reinforcements on the phase change kinetics of polymers, to be submitted to J. of Composite Materials, 2000.
14.
14. F. Lamarche and C. Leroy. Evaluation of the volume of intersection of a sphere with a cylinder by elliptic integrals. Computer Physics Communications, 59:359-369, 1990.
15.
15. J. Gosset, H. H. Gutbrod, W. G. Meyer, A. M. Poskanzer, A. Sandoval, R. Stock, and G. D. Westfall. Central collisions of relativistic heavyions. Physical Review C, 16(2):629-657, 1977.
16.
16. N. A. Mehl and L. Rebenfeld. Computer simulation of crystallization kinetics and morphology in fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites 2. three-dimensional case. J. Pol. Sci. B: Pol. Phys.,31:1687-1693, 1993.
