Nucleation of Polypropylene Homo- and Copolymers

The combination of moderately slow crystal growth at large undercoolings together with the practical absence of sporadic nucleation makes isotactic polypropylene (iPP) an ideal material for controlled nucleation. In this review the different types of nucleating agents – inorganic and organic, particulate and soluble – for the different crystal modifications of iPP (α, β and γ) are presented together with their working mechanism and criteria for activity. The interaction between polymer type, nucleating agent and processing conditions in determining mechanical and optical properties conclude the survey.