Continuous Cooling Curve Diagrams of Isotactic-Polypropylene/Polyethylene Blends: Mutual Nucleating Effects under Fast Cooling Conditions

Crystallization kinetics under processing-relevant cooling conditions of polyethylene/isotactic-polypropylene (PE/PP) blends, with compositions similar to real recycled blends, was investigated through an in situ temperature monitoring technique. Continuous Cooling Curve (CCC) diagrams in a large crystallization temperature range were obtained for the two phases, thanks to a new apparatus allowing fast quenching of polymer samples. Using this technique, we found an "inversion point" in the crystallization order of the two polymers, which arises from the difference in crystallization rates between PP and PE with an increasing cooling rate. The order of crystallization of the two polymers at low cooling rates, that is, before the inversion point, can be tuned by employing non-nucleated or nucleated PP. In particular, non-nucleated PP crystallizes after PE above 0.5 degrees C/s, while nucleated PP solidifies before PE until 80 degrees C/s. Interestingly, mutual nucleating effects, previously shown only for ideal systems such as thin-layered films, were found at the interface between the phases, in correlation with the inversion point. During cooling, the phase which crystallizes first can enhance the onset of crystallization of the second lower crystallizing phase through nucleation at the interface. Ex situ morphological and wide-angle X-ray diffraction experiments confirmed the validity of the results shown by CCC diagrams. Our approach to characterize semicrystalline polymer blends with CCC diagrams facilitates tailoring their properties at cooling rates relevant for polymer processing. Moreover, the importance of knowing and controlling the type of components in blends obtained from recycling is demonstrated, given the variety of crystallization behaviors attainable.