In polymer processing, the molecular orientation induced by flow has a significant effect on the crystallization kinetics and final morphology of the polymer produced. The impact on processing operations and object properties is extremely important and recently scientific and technological researchers have begun to quanitify these effects. The international conference 'Flow-Induced Crystallization of Polymers', held in October 2001 in Salerno, Italy, was timely and well attended. An interdisciplinary approach was taken and presentations were made on topics ranging from real-time measurement, through modelling, to final morphology and properties of polymers. Invited and other selected contributions from the conference are collected here, in this volume of Macromolecular Symposia

Crystallization in Multiphase Polymer Systems is the first book that explains in depth the crystallization behavior of multiphase polymer systems. Polymeric structures are more complex in nature than other material structures due to their significant structural disorder. Most of the polymers used today are semicrystalline, and the subject of crystallization is still one of the major issues relating to the performance of semicrystalline polymers in the modern polymer industry. The study of the crystallization processes, crystalline morphologies and other phase transitions is of great significance for the understanding the structure-property relationships of these systems. Crystallization in block copolymers, miscible blends, immiscible blends, and polymer composites and nanocomposites is thoroughly discussed and represents the core coverage of this book. The book critically analyzes the kinetics of nucleation and growth process of the crystalline phases in multi-component polymer systems in different length scales, from macro to nanoscale. Various experimental techniques used for the characterization of polymer crystallization process are discussed. Written by experts in the field of polymer crystallization, this book is a unique source and enables professionals and students to understand crystallization behavior in multiphase polymer systems such as block copolymers, polymer blends, composites and nanocomposites. Covers crystallization of multiphase polymer systems, including copolymers, blends and nanocomposites Features comprehensive, detailed information about the basic research, practical applications and new developments for these polymeric materials Analyzes the kinetics of nucleation and growth process of the crystalline phases in multi-component polymer systems in different length scales, from macro to nanoscale

Polymeric crystals are more complex in nature than other materials' crystal structures due to significant structural disorder present. The only comprehensive reference on polymer crystallization, Handbook of Polymer Crystallization provides readers with a broad, in-depth guide on the subject, covering the numerous problems encountered during crystallization as well as solutions to resolve those problems to achieve the desired result. Edited by leading authorities in the field, topics explored include neat polymers, heterogeneous systems, polymer blends, polymer composites orientation induced crystallization, crystallization in nanocomposites, and crystallization in complex thermal processing conditions.