Crystallization kinetics of polyethylene terephthalate. I. Isothermal crystallization from the melt

The crystallization behavior of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was investigated as a function of molecular weight, temperature of crystallization, and polycondensation catalyst system. A detailed analysis of the crystallization course has been made utilizing the Avrami expression. The crystallization rate constants and the Avrami exponents were calculated. The results show that the rate constant and the mechanism of crystallization are dependent on the molecular weight, temperature, and the polycondensation catalyst system. The catalyst system often exhibits a more significant influence than the molecular weight in controlling the rate of crystallization of PET.