β-transcrystallinity developed from the novel ringed nuclei in the glass fiber/isotactic polypropylene composite

Glass fiber (GF) was immersed in diluted acid solution and corroded for 4 h. The interfacial morphology of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) reinforced by the corroded GF was studied via polarized optical microscope. It was found that the corroded GF exhibits anomalous nucleating ability to induce ringed nuclei, and β-transcrystallinity can be developed unexpectedly from these nuclei during isothermal crystallization. The present work provides a novel approach, via which β-transcrystallinity can arise in static condition from the surface of the acid-corroded GF.

The optical picture showing the β-transcrystallinity developed in iPP reinforced by the glass fiber acid-corroded for 4 h.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► The acid-corroded GF exhibits anomalous nucleating ability to induce ringed nuclei.
► The β-transcrystallinity can arise in static condition from the ringed nuclei.
► This study provides a facile way to prepare β-transcrystallinity in GF/iPP composites.