The combined usage of multiple thermal treatments allowed to obtain information on crystallization kinetics of PLLA
at temperatures almost ranging from glass transition to melting point. Crystallization rate of PLLA is very high at temperatures
between 100 and 118C, showing a clear deviation from the usual bell-shaped curve. This discontinuity has
been ascribed to a sudden acceleration in spherulite growth, and is not associated to morphological changes in
the appearance of PLLA spherulites. Experimental data of spherulite growth rates of PLLA have been analyzed with
Hoffman–Lauritzen method. Applicability and limitations of this theoretical treatment have been discussed.
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