Optical Transmittance Thermal Analysis of the Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Foils

The optical transmittance of poly(ethylene terephthalate) foils has been investigated using the linear heating as well as the isothermal heating. It was found out that transmittance records obtained at linear heating show the crystallisation and melting processes distinctly. These results are in accordance with those achieved by DSC measurements. The isothermal heating was especially applied to investigate PET cold crystallisation. In its course the optical transmittance first decreases to a certain minimal value, regaining some of the transmittance in the final period of crystallisation (crystal growth). The used method is suitable for investigating crystallisation processes of polymers accomplished at very slow rates.