Computer simulation of crystallization kinetics and morphology in fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites. II. Three‐dimensional case

A three‐dimensional computer simulation has been used to predict crystallization kinetics and crystalline morphology in composite materials that are based on crystallizable thermoplastics. Reinforcing fibers in three‐dimensional simulations show similar behavior to those in two‐dimensional simulations; fibers suppress crystallization relative to an unreinforced polymer since they constrain spherulitic growth by an impingement mechanism, and also enhance crystallization by providing added surface nucleation sites. The effects of varying controlling parameters on crystallization kinetics and morphology are qualitatively the same as those observed in the two‐dimensional case. The relative bulk and fiber nucleation denisities, in addition to the fiber volume fraction, fiber diameter, and spherulitic growth rate control the crystallization kinetics and crystalline morphology that develop in reinforced thermoplastic composites. It is more difficult to achieve the transcrystalline morphology in slices of three‐dimensional composites than it is in two‐dimensional composites because nuclei in 3‐D systems are not constrained to positions in or near a 2‐D plane.