Using chip-based calorimetry to monitor crystallization during polymer processing

Polymer processing often involves rapid changes in temperature and strain, which significantly modify the properties and thus performance. Advancements in chip-based calorimetric techniques overcome temperature scanning rate and instrument response limitations of conventional differential scanning calorimeters, enabling off-line probing of commercially relevant process conditions. In this talk we will describe how we have used commercial, chip-based calorimetric instrumentation to monitor crystallization under process relevant conditions. Using a chip-based calorimeter we can monitor the crystallization of semi-crystalline polyolefins as they move through the pelletization step of the manufacturing process. Mapping time-dependent crystallization covering up to 1000 seconds was possible. Blown film processing, which undergoes cooling at rates approaching 100 ^○C/s, could be mimicked using the chip calorimeters. By coupling this data to at-line monitoring schemes, strain-induced crystallization can be deduced.