Two timescales in polymer solidification: processing vs polymer crystallization

The results are discussed on the basis of an interpretation of polymer crystallization strongly determined by the topology of the polymer, a view unconventional with respect to most of the well established interpretations of polymer crystallization all based on data obtained in a time scale much longer with respect to solidification in processing

In this work we compare the influence of a plasticizer on the density drop, and therefore on the disappearance of any long range order crystalline phases, observed after fast controlled quenching of PET and PBT. The plasticizer enhances significantly the maximum cooling rate at which PET still shows long range order crystalline phases while barely modifies the situation for PBT.