Simultaneous small-and wide-angle X-ray scattering studies on the crystallization dynamics of poly(4-methylpentene-1) from melt

Abstract

The crystallization process of poly(4-methylpentene-1) (P4MP1) under an isothermal condition at 227 °C was investigated by means of simultaneous small-and wide-angle synchrotron radiation X-ray scattering. The changes in the lamella structure and in the crystal lattice were elucidated for the first time; the thickness of the lamellae along the chain axis was constant during crystallization, whereas the lattice constant along the a-axis changed to the most stable value. We also found that crystallization consists of two processes and that there is an inhomogeneous structure even in the melt and in the induction period before crystallization. These features of P4MP1 were compared with those of other polymers, and we discussed the changes in the crystal lattices and in the lamella thickness during the crystallization process. © 2013 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan (SPSJ) All rights reserved.