Conductive-filler-filled poly(epsilon-caprolactone) poly(vinyl butyral) blends .1. Crystallization behavior and morphology

The crystallization behavior and morphology of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)/poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) blends containing carbon black (CB) were studied as functions of PVB and CB content. The presence of CB had no influence on the primary nucleation of PCL crystals or the spherulitic growth rate. They were only influenced by the blend ratio of PVB. The growth rates of spherulites were unchanged throughout the crystallization process, regardless of the CB content. The results indicate that the concentration of PCL at the front of growing spherulite remains constant during crystallization. The distribution of CB in the spherulites was observed using atomic force microscopy to explain these results. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.