Temperature and crystallinity profiles in polyolefines isothermal and non-isothermal solidification processes

Temperature and crystallinity profiles developed during the isothermal and dynamic solidification of polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), which were measured using different experimental techniques, are analyzed. Appropriate models are developed and used to correlate those experimental results. Profiles obtained by simulation showed to be very similar to those obtained experimentally. This means that those models can predict the degree of crystallinity developed during solidification stages, and values for properties directly related to it, that are relevant technical specifications for the PP and HPDE possible applications. This technique could also make possible the optimization of processing parameters. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.