Recrystallization rates and processes in laser-amorphized poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The recrystallization of laser-amorphized poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) films has been followed in real time using infrared spectroscopy. The laser amorphization process produces a unique set of conditions which makes possible a simplified interpretation of the data obtained during recrystallization of thin films. The observed data for the time dependence of the growth of recrystallized PET fits well to a kinetic model which includes both primary and secondary crystallization processes. Values obtained for the rate of the primary process agree well with literature values for spherulitic growth in PET, reaching a maximum rate of 94 nm/s at 170 deg C. The nature of the primary and secondary processes is discussed.