Abstract: In this paper, propylene/1-butene random copolymer was prepared via bulk polymerization. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of the copolymers was studied using DSC. According to Avrami equation, crystallization kinetic parameters K(T), n, t1/2, and crystallization activation energy of the samples under various crystallization temperature were obtained. The crystallization rate decreased with increasing crystallization temperature. Avrami index was between 3 and 4, indicating that the crystal growth was three-dimensional spherical growth. At the same crystallization temperature, the crystal nucleation and crystallization rate decreased and the crystallization activation energy increased with increasing 1-butene unit content.

Key words: propylene/1-butene random copolymer, isothermal crystallization kinetics, Avrami equation