Morphology, phase structure and thermal behaviour of films of isotactic polypropylene/Hydrogenated oligocyclopentadiene blends: 1.Extruded isotropic films

The effect of hydrogenated oligocyclopentadiene (HOCP) on the structure and morphology of isotropic isotactic polypropylene (iPP) films obtained by melt extrusion has been studied using wide-angle X-ray scattering, thermal analysis and electron microscopy. It was found that the addition of HOCP causes the formation of the smectic phase of iPP at temperatures where bulk iPP crystallizes only in the monoclinic form. The amount of smectic phase present in the blend is dependent on the blend composition. The spherulitic morphology of iPP is completely modified by the presence of HOCP. For blends containing up to 10% HOCP, the iPP spherulite dimensions are drastically reduced. In the case of blends of higher HOCP content, the film crystallinity is reduced, no spherulites are visible and the film surface appears smoother.