Phase Transitions in Isotactic Polybutene-1

Abstract

The possibilities to influence the 4 major phase transitions of isotactic polybutene – 1 (iPB-1) and their transformation rate are described. The phase transformations result in new polymer structures with new physical and, in some cases, practically important properties. The transformation of phase II to I is spontaneous contrary to the phase transformation of III to I or II, which depends on the temperature (96 °C or higher). For the practically most important phase transition, II → I, there are 3 major transformation types (plus (P), neutral (N) and minus (M)) depending on the phase transition rate.

Keywords:

• Isotactic polybutene – 1
• phase transitions
• nucleants
• antinucleants

Acknowledgements

The coauthors are greatly thankful to Prof. Geil for his support during his visit in Czech Republic and our stay at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.