Influence of molecular weight and spinning conditions on the crystalline morphology of polypropylene fibres

In the spinning of polypropylene the “smectic” phase generally appears in the as spun fibres obtained from high fluidity polypropylene (for example M̄_w = 118000) at 200°C and more. The amount of the “smectic” form decreases as the draw down ratio increases. At 200°C and for a draw ratio of 40 the “smectic” form is about 70% of the crystalline phase. At 200°C and for a draw ratio of to 130 or higher, only the monoclinic form is observed. At 180°C, and whatever is the draw ratio, only the monoclinic form is observed. For high-molecular - weight polypropylene (for example M̄_w = 320000) the “smectic” form has never been observed whatever is the spinning temperature within the range 220–260°C. The fibres with high amount of smectic phase show low orientation factors, whereas the fibres having only monoclinic form show the highest orientation factors. These results, compared with elongational behaviour of the polypropylene, suggest that the smectic form appears in the fibres as the elongation rate on the spinning line is lower than the relaxation rate of polypropylene chains.     

Influence of isotacticity and molecular weight on the properties of metallocenic isotactic polypropylene

The relationships between structure and properties have been established for isotactic polypropylene, iPP, homopolymers synthesized by metallocene catalyst systems. These iPPs exhibit different isotacticity degrees and molecular weights, and several thermal treatments during their processing have been applied. The most important factor affecting the structure and properties of these polymers is the isotacticity content. The thermal treatment, i.e., the rate of cooling from the melt, is also important and a clear molecular weight effect has been also found for the sample with lowest M_w. These factors affect the thermal properties, the degree of crystallinity and, therefore, the structural parameters and the viscoelastic behavior. A slow cooling from melt favors the formation of the γ phase instead of the α modification. The storage modulus, Young modulus and microhardness values increase as crystallinity does, independently of the origin of this increase: higher isotacticity or application of a slow crystallization from the melt.     

Determination of molecular weight dependences and characterization of molecular weight distributions

Molecular weight dependences of the square of the radius of gyration as well as of the coefficients of diffusion and friction of monodisperse polystyrenes in toluene at 20°C are determined experimentally. For this purpose, the z-averages of these quantities and $\text{M}$_w as determined by light scattering were subjected to the polydispersity correction procedures as described previously. In addition, a method is suggested for the checking of known data with respect to molecular weight distribution, using measured values in conjunction with the polydispersity correction procedures.     

Influence of polymerization conditions on the molecular weight and polydispersity of polyepichlorohydrin

The influence of the relevant reaction conditions on the molecular weight and polydispersity during the cationic ring-opening polymerization of epichlorohydrin has been studied using an experimental design. The polymerization was conducted in the presence of an alcohol (diol and triol), a Lewis acid at two temperatures (5 °C and 25 °C), and with two monomer addition rates. FT-IR spectra were used for the chemical characterization of the polymer, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was used to determine the oligomeric composition and the masses of the initiator or transfer agent. The FT-IR showed the characteristic peaks of polyepichlorohydrin, and the mass spectra indicate that the alcohol was incorporated in the polymer structure. The MW and polydispersity were determined using gel permeation chromatography. We observed that the two most significant parameters that affected MW were the monomer addition rate and the reaction temperature, whereas polydispersity was most strongly affected by the monomer addition rate.     

Influence of the molecular weight on the elongational behaviour of polypropylene and on the fibre orientation factors

This study shows that the elongational behaviour depends upon molecular weight and upon elongational rate. If the molecular weight is low, elongational viscosity reaches rapidly a steady value but, if the molecular weight is high, the viscosity (or the elongational stress) increases continuously with the time. These behaviours may be explained in comparison of the relaxation rate determined by shear rheology as the reciprocal relaxation time with the elongation rate ϵ. If the elongation rate is lower than the relaxation rate the polypropylene chains may relax and the elongational viscosity reaches a steady value with the time. For high fluidity polypropylene the range of elongation rates within of which the elongational viscosity is constant with time is very large. On the contrary, if the elongational rate is higher than relaxation rate the polypropylene chains undergo a continuous deformation and then the elongational viscosity increases with time. The range of elongational rates within of which the stress is constant is narrow for high-molecular-weight polypropylene. Furthermore, the elongational behaviour influences the chain orientation in the crystalline and amorphous phases of the fibres. If the polymer chains are quenched in a relaxed state the orientation is lowered as shown with high fluidity polypropylenes. On the contrary, if the chains are cooled in extended state their orientation may subsist during crystallisation and the orientation factors may reach high values as shown with high-molecular-weight polypropylene.     

Characterization of polymer molecular weight distributions by ratios of molecular weight averages

The molecular weight (MW) distribution of a polymer is characterized by a hierarchy of average MWs and their appropriate combinations. For example, the ratio of the weight-average to the number-average MW is the most frequently used measure of the polydispersity of a polymer. As is well known the lower bound to this ratio is unity, and it has been shown that the upper bound is (m + 1)²/4m, where m = M_max/M_min is the ratio of the highest to the lowest MW of the MW species present in a given polymer. This upper bound corresponds to an extremely bimodal MW distribution of one half weight fraction with M_min and the other half with M_max. The behavior of the upper bound for two special unimodal distributions is investigated: one is the triangular distribution, the other the quadrilateral. The results suggest that the upper bound for all possible unimodal distributions is considerably less than the corresponding general case, especially for large values of m. For example, the maximum ratios for the quadrilateral distribution and the general upper bound are 1.04 and 1.125 for m = 2; 1.43 and 3.205 for m = 10; 2.56 and 25.5 for m = 100; 3.99 and 250.5 for m = 1000, respectively.     

Effect of stereoregularity on the structure and thermophysical characteristics of isotactic polypropylene

The structure, thermophysical, and thermomechanical characteristics of metallocene-synthesized isotactic PPs of different molecular masses containing different amounts of stereodefects have been studied. The degree of crystallinity and the content of a and g modifications in slowly cooled and melt quenched films are estimated by three independent methods, i.e., X-ray analysis, DSC, macroscopic density measurements, and changes in their phase structure upon annealing and orientation are analyzed. As the content of stereodefects increases, the fraction of g crystallites in the films increases, while the degree of crystallinity decreases (down to 5%). The formation of the g phase is assumed to be related to the epitaxial crystallization; this process is assisted by stresses induced on chains upon slow melt crystallization and after annealing of the oriented samples. This evidence allows the analysis of structural and thermodynamic characteristics of thermoplastic and elastic samples of the isotactic PP.     

The skewness of polymer molecular weight distributions

A new parameter α₃ for characterization of the skewness of a polymer's molecular weight distribution (MWD) based on the statistics is introduced. For α₃ > 0, the skewness is positive, characterizing the MWD with a tail at higher-MW side. For α₃ = 0, the MWD is symmetric. For α₃ < 0, the skewness is negative, characterizing the MWD with a tail at the lower-MW side. A relationship between α₃ and the first four (from zeroth to third) moments of the MWD is developed which allows calculation of the skewness without detailed calculation of the MWD. An example of polymerization of styrene with n-butyllithium is given to demonstrate the characteristics of α₃.     

Studies in reduction of molecular weight of polypropylene

Polypropylene (PP) is the most widely used polyolefin, due to its high mechanical strength and better processability in comparison to the others in its group. Conventional methods of polymerisation result in high molecular weights of PP. However, high molecular weights are not required for several applications. To overcome this problem controlled reduction in molecular weight of PP in presence of free radicals, in solution, is proposed. Four commonly available free radical generators viz: benzoyl peroxide (BPO), azo- iso-bis butyronitrile (AIBN), t-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) were used to bring about reduction in molecular weight of PP. Effect of the free radical generator concentration, reaction time, reaction temperature and reaction medium (toluene, xylene and decalin) on the extent of molecular weight reduction was studied. The effect of this molecular weight reduction on mechanical, thermal, rheological and crystalline properties of the polymer was also studied. With proper selection of initiator and reaction conditions, it was possible to obtain low molecular weight branched PP with improved mechanical and thermal properties.     

Vibrational spectroscopic investigation of stereoregularity effects on syndiotactic polypropylene structure and morphology

Vibrational spectroscopy is used to sensitively detect specific morphologies and microstructures present in metallocene-catalyzed syndiotactic polypropylenes (sPP). Six materials, ranging in racemic triad content from 26 to 96% rr, are studied. Changes in high-resolution infrared (IR) and Raman spectra of melt-slow-cooled films are observed as the degree of syndiotacticity varies. Three different types of peak behavior are observed: splitting, wavenumber shift, and change in peak intensity. An overall trend toward greater molecular order (e.g. ordered chain conformations, increased crystallinity) is observed as syndiotacticity increases. By combining results with supporting evidence from X-ray diffraction and IR linear dichroism experiments of highly syndiotactic sPP, new peak assignments are proposed for tacticity-sensitive vibrational bands. Some very interesting spectral behavior is observed for material of intermediate stereoregularity (49% rr). Previously unobserved peaks appear in X-ray diffractograms and IR absorbance spectra, suggesting the presence of an as-yet unidentified “transitional” structure—perhaps a disordered modification of crystalline Form I. This moderate level of syndiotacticty appears to be a critical point or threshold below which sPP chains are unable to adopt characteristic helical or planar zigzag conformations. Results from this work provide a more thorough understanding of stereochemical effects on vibrational spectra, which will be very useful in the interpretation of ongoing IR linear dichroism studies of newly available semi-syndiotactic (semi-sPP) materials.     

Ratios of average molecular weights and molecular weight distributions in polymers

If M_min and M_max are lower and upper bounds, respectively, to the molecular weights of different molecular weight species contained in a polymer, the weight-average to number-average molecular weight ratio M _w/M _n cannot exceed (1 + M_max/M_min)²/(4M_max/M_min). The ratio attains this maximum possible value if the masses of the two species with molecular weights M_min and M_max are equal and the masses of all the other species are negligibly small, corresponding to maximum spread in the molecular weight distribution within the specified bounds. Also for a given value of M _w/M _n = α, the M_max cannot be smaller than [2α ? 1 + 2α^1/2(α ? 1)^1/2]M_min. The minimum possible value of M_max/M_min consistent with α given is obtained in the case of maximum spread described above. If only one species is predominant, then both M _w/M _n and M_max/M_min approach unity, as is well known. Similar relations hold for the ratios of higher-order average molecular weights for which the role of the mass fractions is replaced by higher-order distribution functions.     

Prediction of molecular weight distributions in branched polymers

A theoretical treatment of long branching in radical polymerization in a continuous stirred tank reactor is presented. The treatment takes into account radical termination by disproportionation and/or combination, transfer to polymer and/or additive of low molecular weight, residence time, and injection of polymer. In the absence of added polymer, the molecular weight distribution depends upon four parameters which can be expressed as P?_n and ratios of the rate of polymerization to the rate at which radicals (a) leave the reactor, (b) combine, and (c) transfer to polymer. The kinetic equations were converted into a differential equation which was solved numerically to give polymer and radical moments. An analytical solution is presented for the case where combination is absent. P?_w/P?_n is predicted to increase smoothly in a markedly exponential manner with increasing polymer transfer, combination, P?_n, and mean residence time. At no stage do any of the moments become infinite unless the residence time is infinite. For polymers of wide distribution, the second and higher radical moments can exceed the corresponding polymer moments so that most of the large molecules leave the reactor as radicals. Beasley's and Nicolas's treatments are shown to be limiting cases at low polymer transfer.     

Light-scattering study of the molecular weight distribution of polypropylene

A light-scattering study is presented of two isotactic polypropylene samples with broad molecular weight distributions (M _w/M _n = 8.1 and 8.7, respectively) dissolved in α-chloronaphthalene at 147°C. Incident radiation of 5460, 4358, and 3650 A. was used. The reciprocal intramolecular scattering function, P^?1(u) is expressed as a function of the variable [sin(θ/2)/λ′]². This provides a wider range of experimental values of the variable u = 16π²(b²/6) [sin(θ/2)/λ′]² than is accessible by the usual technique of using only one wavelength. The shape of the function P^?1(u) is closer to that predicted theoretically if the weight distribution function f(N) in the equation is given by the log-normal distribution rather than the distribution function of Schulz and Zimm. The method is applicable to polymer samples for which the average molecular weights are too low to be measured by the light-scattering method of Benoit and Loucheux.     

Application of preparative gel-permeation chromatography to studies of low molecular weight carboxy-polybutadienes

Low molecular weight carboxy-polybutadiene liquid polymers are used as the binderfuel fraction in solid composite propellants. Analytical GPC determinations of low molecular weight materials (100 through 500 molecular weight range) were previously found to correlate significantly with final propellant properties. These low molecular weight materials are being characterized, and studies of their role in determining propellant physical properties are being conducted. Sufficient quantities of material in the 100–500 molecular weight range have been isolated by using preparative scale GPC to establish the chemical nature of these materials. Infrared and chemical analysis of fractions collected by using preparative GPC also has permitted the construction of functional group distribution profiles. In addition, narrow fractions isolated over the molecular weight range of the whole polymer were analyzed for average molecular weight by vapor pressure osmometry and have been used as calibration standards for analytical GPC.     

Temperature and molecular weight dependence of fracture behaviour of polypropylene films

The effect of temperature on fracture behaviour of isotactic polypropylene films has been studied on two PP samples of molecular weights M_W=270 kg mol⁻¹ and M_W=150 kg mol⁻¹, using the Essential Work of Fracture method. Two ductile-brittle transitions as a function of temperature are in evidence at respectively 10 and 60 °C. The former transition occurs for the highest molecular weight and the latter one for the lowest molecular weight.

Three processes are involved in the temperature effect on PP toughness: (1) The decrease of yield stress with temperature according to Eyring’s law; (2) The role of cooperative motions in the amorphous phase: the ductile-brittle transition of the sample of highest M_W corresponds to the glass transition; and (3) The role of the mobility of the crystalline phase: the ductile-brittle transition of the sample of lowest M_W corresponds to the C transition.     

Sedimentation transport method for determination of molecular weight distributions

The sedimentation of the system polystyrene-cyclohexane at the Flory temperature has been studied with emphasis on the effects of pressure as well as concentration. The relation between the molecular weight M and the limiting sedimentation coefficient s₀⁰, is found to be s₀⁰ = 1.50 × 10^?15 M^1/2 (sec.) The concentration dependence parameter k_s has the form, k_s = k′M^1/2 = k″s₀⁰ with k′ = 4.5–5.5 × 10^?4. However, a rather unexpected dependence of k_s on the rotor speed is also found. A procedure is proposed for deducing solute molecular weight distributions from boundary spreading data in sedimentation transport experiments, a so-called “single concentration” method, requiring only one sedimentation run. Application to several polystyrenes (in cyclohexane at 35°C) with narrow, broad, and very broad distributions demonstrates the feasibility of the procedure. Comparisons are made with data from elution chromatography and gel permeation chromatography. The GPC method predicts somewhat broader distributions than those obtained by the other two methods.     

Bimodal molecular weight distributions of a branched condensation polymer

Gel permeation chromatograms of a hindered-phenolic, branched condensation polymer display pronounced bimodality at high conversion. The true molecular weight distributions, obtained by means of a GPC calibration curve based on narrow-distribution fractions, exhibit corresponding anomalous high-molecular-weight “shoulders.” These results are discussed in terms of preferential aggregation and reaction of the higher-molecular-weight species during the polymerization, promoted by intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the apolar reaction medium.