Isothermal melt crystallization of poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) with different ethylene contents was studied in the temperature range of 140degreesC-160degreesC. A differential scanning calorimeter was used to follow the energy of the crystallization process. The results were analyzed by Avrami and Hoffman-Laurizten methods. The Avrami exponent was close to 2, indicating two-dimensional growth with a linear growth rate and crystals nucleating athermally. The equilibrium melting temperature was determined by the Hoffman-Weeks method. The rate of crystallization depended on ethylene contentand temperature. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.