An Avrami-based model for the description of the secondary crystallization of polymers

A mathematical model for the description of the overall crystallization of polymers has been developed which separates the pure geometric spreading of the semicrystalline superstructures from the increasing crystallinity inside these entities. The model uses the Avrami theory for the geometric part and a freely optional function for the increasing local crystallinity. The two functions are combined by a mathematical procedure called convolution. The free option of the local crystallinity function enables this model to permit calculation of this function, which is not accessible to direct measurement. Thus with given Avrami parameters and measured values of the time-dependent overall crystallinity, this function of the local crystallinity (secondary crystallization function) can be calculated. The model has been applied to test data produced by computer simulations.