Isothermal crystallization behaviors of phenylene sulfide-phenylene sulfide ether copolymer

Abstract

Copolymerization of phenylene sulfide (PS) and phenylene sulfide ether (PSE) was carried out with various composition ratios. Their thermal properties and crystallization behaviors were studied and compared with those of poly (phenylene sulfide) (PPS). All of the copolymers show only one glass transition temperature (Tg). Tg and melting temperature of copolymer were decreased as the content of PSE increases. Especially, these temperatures were decreased prominently when 5% of PSE unit was added. Isothermal crystallization behaviors of the copolymers were investigated by Avrami equation. In the region of cold crystallization temperature, crystallization rate constants increased and Avrami exponent (n) decreased as the temperature increased. Copolymers containing PSE unit in a concentration range of 5 to 20% have high n values near 3. However, this effect was diminished by addition of PSE unit over 20%. In the cases of poly (phenylene sulfide) (PPS) and PPS/poly (phenylene sulfide ether) blend, n values are in the range of 1.5-2. For comparing the n values, copolymer has more complete crystalline structure.