Biaxial orientation of polyamide films: processability and properties

The production of biaxially oriented films can be performed with two techniques: the tenter frame and the double bubble process. The most important difference between the two processes is that in tubular orientation the MD and TD stretching are simultaneous. This event is very important specially in the case of biaxially oriented polyamide films to avoid hydrogen bonding which occur during the first stretching stage of tenter frame process and cause resistance to subsequent transverse direction orientation (1-4). Double bubble process consists in the stretching of a tubular film where the stretching ratios in the machine and transverse directions are determined by inside bubble pressure and the difference in roll speeds between the two sets of nips rolls that contain the bubble. The work presented here reports some results about double bubble polyamide films realised with a laboratory scale system. The study concerns the processability (5-6) of two different polyamides: a nylon 6 (PA6) and a copolymer of the nylon 6 with isophthalic acid and isophorondiamine (PA6 - IPA.IPD) at 5% w/w of comonomer. Two main process arrangements where adopted differing for first bubble cooling technique: a water cooling and a air cooling. The films produced in both conditions were then characterised with a particular regard to mechanical and barrier performances. Morphological analyses were also carried out in order to correlate the process conditions to structure and properties of films.     

Crystalline Morphology and Polymorphic Phase Transitions in Electrospun Nylon 6 Nanofibers

Uniform nylon 6 nanofibers with diameters around 200 nm were prepared by electrospinning. Polymorphic phase transitions and crystal orientation of nylon 6 in unconfined (i.e., as-electrospun) and a high T(g) (340 degrees C) polyimide confined nanofibers were studied. Similar to melt-spun nylon 6 fibers, electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers also exhibited predominant, meta-stable gamma crystalline form, and the gamma-crystal (chain) axes preferentially oriented parallel to the fiber axis. Upon annealing above 150 degrees C, gamma-form crystals gradually melted and recrystallized into the thermodynamically stable alpha-form crystals, which ultimately melted at 220 degrees C. Release of surface tension accompanied this melt-recrystallization process, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry. For confined nanofibers, both the melt-recrystallization and surface tension release processes were substantially depressed; gamma-form crystals did not melt and recrystallize into alpha-form crystals until 210 degrees C, only 10 degrees C below the T(m) at 220 degrees C. After complete melting of nano-confined crystals at 240 degrees C and recrystallization at 100 degrees C, only alpha-form crystals oriented perpendicular to the nanofiber axis were obtained. In the polyimide-confined nanofibers, the Brill transition (from the monoclinic alpha-form to a high temperature monoclinic form) was observed at 180-190 degrees C, which was at least 20 degrees C higher than that in unconfined nylon 6 at approximately 160 degrees C. This, again, was attributed to the confinement effect.     

Room-temperature polycondensation of β-amino acid derivatives. V. Synthesis of hydrophilic polyamide by the polycondensation of β-amino acid derivatives

N-(Hydroxyalkyl) β-alanine ester which was obtained from amino alcohol and acrylate yielded polyamide at room temperature in the presence of a basic catalyst. Alkali and alkali earth metal alkoxides had a strong catalytic effect on the room-temperature polycondensation of N-(hydroxyethyl)-β-alanine esters. The catalytic activity of metal alkoxides decreased in the order: Li > Na > K > Cs and Ca > Zn > Mg. Aluminum and titanium alkoxide had a weak catalytic effect, while boron (III), tin (IV), antimony (V), and tellurium (VI) alkoxides did not show any catalytic activity for the polycondensation. It was also found that solvent had an effect on the course of the polycondensation of N-(hydroxyethyl)-β-alanine esters, and the highest molecular weight polymer was formed only in methanol solution. The solid-phase polycondensation of the low molecular weight prepolymer resulted in a high molecular weight polymer with an inherent viscosity of 1.0 in the presence of a catalytic amount of phosphoric acid. The polymer obtained is hydrophilic and its moisture absorption is more than twice that of nylon 6.     

Crystallization and polymerization of 6-aminocaproic acid as simultaneous processes

Vapor of 6-aminocaproic acid (ACA) at a pressure of 0.12 mm Hg was observed to polymerize when placed in the presence of different types of surfaces, crystalline and amorphous, at temperatures around 170°C. Two clearly distinct stages of the process could be detected. The first was an induction period, during which the polymer phase must be nucleated. The length of this nucleation stage depended on factors not well understood. In the second stage, polymer was produced at a constant rate which seemed to be related to the vapor pressure of ACA. The polymer produced consisted of the characteristic radiating arrays of ribbonlike crystals known as spherulites. The spherulites, in turn, were made up of primary and secondary lamellae about 90 Å thick. Electron diffraction studies showed that the polymer chains were folded within the lamellae. Further it was proved by chemical and crystallographic arguments that adsorption and polymerization should be simultaneous processes.     

Thermal annealing of doubly oriented nylon 11 in contact with formic acid

The most striking feature of the mechanism of thermal annealing of doubly oriented samples of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and probably of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a progressive tilt of lamellar crystals around their crystallographic b axis. Such a rotation does not occur on thermal annealing in doubly oriented nylons. However, this rotation mechanism occurs during the thermal annealing of doubly oriented samples of nylon 11 in contact with a solvent below its dissolution temperature. As for oriented samples of polyethylene (PE), a correlation between the changes of macroscopic dimensions and long spacing obtained from the small-angle x-ray pattern is difficult to establish. In doubly oriented samples of nylon 11, the basal faces of the lamellar crystals are parallel to the a axis of the unit cell. Nevertheless, simple Miller indices cannot be assigned to the basal planes of the lamellae. On thermal annealing in formic acid, the basal planes of the lamellar crystals are, in some cases, parallel to (00l) planes. Annealing in formic acid at room temperature induces a phase transition: the chain c axis remains oriented along the rolling direction and the (00l) planes become parallel to the limiting planes of the lamellar crystals. Bulk doubly oriented samples of nylon 11 annealed in formic acid just below the “dissolution temperature” have the same texture of orientation as filter mats of single crystals grown from dilute solution; moreover, as these bulk specimens remain doubly oriented, they can be used for further physicochemical investigations. The usual interpretation of the small-angle x-ray pattern is also discussed on the basis of the results reported in this paper.     

Heteroaromatic polyamides from cyanoimidazoles

The synthesis of a new class of heteroaromatic polyamides based on cyanoimidazoles are described. The monomer, 2-amino-4-cyanoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid ( 3 ) is prepared from a two-step hydrolysis of 2-amino-4,5-dicyanoimidazole ( 1 ). A model dimer prepared from condensation of 1 with 4-cyanoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid was structurally characterized by single crystal diffraction. The dimer, C₁₀H₈N₈O₃, crystallizes with Z = 2 and includes two waters of hydration in the P1 space group, a = 7.684 (2), b = 7.864 (3), c = 10.918 (5), α = 100.14 (3), β = 93.15 (3), γ = 103.79 (3). The model dimer is totally planar and shows trans geometry across the amide linkage. The monomer was polymerized by phosphorylation reaction conditions leading to a highly colored oligomeric polyamide. The polymer was characterized by IR spectroscopy, viscometry, GPC chromatography, and luminescence studies. The polymer luminesces strongly under 450 nm laser irradiation at low temperatures.     

Polymorphic forms of nylon 3

The crystal structure of nylon 3 was studied, and four crystalline modifications were observed. Modification I, as determined from the x-ray diffraction pattern of drawn fibers, is similar to the α crystal structure of nylon 6. The unit cell is monoclinic; a = 9.33 Å, b = 4.78 Å, (fiber identity period), c = 8.73 Å, and β = 60°. The theoretical density for nylon 3 with four monomeric units in the unit cell is 1.39 g/cm³, and the observed density is 1.33 g/cm³. The space group is P2₁. The nylon 3 chains are in the extended planar zigzag conformation. Although other odd-numbered nylon form triclinic or pseudohexagonal crystals when oriented, drawn nylon 3 crystals are monoclinic. In addition to modification I, modifications II, III, and IV were studied. Lattice spacings of modifications II and III are equal to those of modification I. However x-ray diffraction intensities are different. Infrared spectra of those forms indicate an extended planar zigzag conformation of the chains. Modification IV is thought to correspond to the so-called smectic hexagonal form. No γ crystals were found, and it appears that polyamide chains with short sequences of methylene groups cannot form crystals of this type.     

Direct synthesis of aromatic polyesters by use of a sulfonium salt derived from tosyl chloride and N-methylimidazole

A sulfonium salt derived from tosyl chloride and N-methylimidazole was successfully used as an effective condensing agent for the preparation of high-molecular-weight aromatic polyesters by the direct polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols. Conditions for the formation of the sulfonium salt and of the reaction of the salt with dicarboxylic acids favorable for the polycondensation were examined. Thermal property of a polymer was investigated in terms of random sequences of monomer in the polymer backbone. Preparation of a polyamide and a polyesteramide was attempted with limited success.     

Orientation effects in biaxially stretched linear polyethylene

The literature on polymer morphology contains many studies of structural and orientation changes occurring upon uniaxial stretching of films and fibers, but it has only an occasional reference to such studies on biaxially stretched film. This paper presents data on a structural change due to simultaneous biaxial stretching up to 6 × 6 stretch ratio of quenched linear polyethylene slightly below the melting temperature. At low stretch ratios the b axis of the orthorhombic unit cell orients predominantly in the biaxial plane of stretching or film plane. At higher than 4 × 4 stretch ratio, a second crystal orientation appears which is a (110) orientation in the film plane. Differential scanning calorimetry scans show two melting peaks occurring concurrently with diffraction effects of two crystal orientations. The evidence for two populations of crystals differing in orientation are discussed in the light of current concepts of folded-chain lamellae and their fragmentation with elongation.     

Oriented crystallization of biphenyl in low-density polyethylene with a single texture

Doubly oriented specimens with a single texture can be obtained by unidirectional rolling of a sheet of low-density polyethylene. Swelling of the oriented samples with liquid biphenyl and in situ crystallization of the biphenyl give indirect information about the morphology of the polymer. In such samples, annealed a few degrees below the melting temperature, the orientation of the biphenyl crystals is a consequence of the interaction of the two crystalline lattices. The (001) biphenyl planes are parallel to the (h01) limiting planes of the lamellar polymer crystals. Theoretical considerations show that the epitaxial conditions are best fulfilled when the limiting planes of the lamellas are parallel to (201) planes. The experimental value of h is 3.     

Direct polycondensation of nylon salts by polyphosphates and imidazole

Direct polycondensation of various nylon salts (salts of dicarboxylic acid and diamine) took place under mild conditions in the formation of polyamide in the presence of polyphosphates and organic bases. Among organic bases imidazole was the best in terms of polymer yields. The reactivity of the polyphosphates was arranged in following order: pyrophosphate ? tripolyphosphate > tetrapolyphosphate. Otimum reaction conditions were investigated in terms of solvents, temperatures, and concentration of monomers. A reaction mechanism was proposed for the phosphorylation reaction, due to polyphosphates, which led to the direct polycondensation of nylon salts.     

Molecular composites prepared by in situ direct synthesis of wholly aromatic rigid‐rod polyamides via the phosphorylation reaction in a dissolved nylon‐6 matrix

Wholly aromatic rigid‐rod polyamides such as poly(p‐phenyleneterephthalamide) (PPD‐T) were synthesized in situ in a solution of nylon‐6 via the phosphorylation polycondensation method to form nanocomposites or so‐called “molecular composites.” The incorporation of PPD‐T into a nylon‐6 matrix was achieved by this approach in a more compatibilized form than that obtained by the conventional coagulation method that entails precipitation of a blend of PPD‐T and nylon‐6 in a solvent, for example, concentrated sulfuric acid. Gelation occurred during the synthesis, presumably because of the formation of interpenetrating networks accompanied by some block‐copolymer formation. The transparency and tensile properties of the resultant composite films from the rigid‐rod aromatic polyamide/nylon‐6 combination were improved over those of nylon‐6 film alone. Rainbow‐colored intense birefringence was observed for the composite films under crossed polarizers. These properties are discussed in context with the in situ synthesized rigid‐rod polyamides uniformly incorporated in nylon‐6. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1014–1026, 2003     

Nylon 6 9 can crystallize with hydrogen bonding in two and in three interchain directions

Nylon 6 9 has been shown to have structures with interchain hydrogen bonds in both two and in three directions. Chain-folded lamellar crystals were studied using transmission electron microscopy and sedimented crystal mats and uniaxially oriented fibers studied by X-ray diffraction. The principal room-temperature structure shows the two characteristic (interchain) diffraction signals at spacings of 0.43 and 0.38 nm, typical of α-phase nylons; however, nylon 6 9 is unable to form the α-phase hydrogen-bonded sheets without serious distortion of the all-trans polymeric backbone. Our structure has c and c^* noncoincident and two directions of hydrogen bonding. Optimum hydrogen bonding can only occur if consecutive pairs of amide units alternate between two crystallographic planes. The salient features of our model offer a possible universal solution for the crystalline state of all odd–even nylons. The nylon 6 9 room-temperature structure has a C-centered monoclinic unit cell (β = 108°) with the hydrogen bonds along the C-face diagonals; this structure bears a similarity to that recently proposed for nylons 6 5 and X3. On heating nylon 6 9 lamellar crystals and fibers, the two characteristic diffraction signals converge and meet at 0.42 nm at the Brill temperature, T_B · T_B for nylon 6 9 lamellar crystals is slightly below the melting point (T_m), whereas T_B for nylon 6 9 fibers is ≅ 100°C below T_m. Above T_B, nylon 6 9 has a hexagonal unit cell; the alkane segments exist in a mobile phase and equivalent hydrogen bonds populate the three principal (hexagonal) directions. A structure with perturbed hexagonal symmetry, which bears a resemblance to the reported γ-phase for nylons, can be obtained by quenching from the crystalline growth phase (above T_B) to room temperature. We propose that this structure is a “quenched-in” perturbed form of the nylon 6 9 high-temperature hexagonal phase and has interchain hydrogen bonds in all three principal crystallographic directions. In this respect it differs importantly from the γ-phase models. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1153–1165, 1998     

热处理对尼龙6及其与聚酰胺嵌段共聚物共混体系晶体熔融行为和结晶结构的影响

采用溶液共混-共沉淀的办法获得尼龙6及聚酰胺嵌段共聚物/尼龙6共混体系粉末,样品在260℃下熔融之后经程序降温的方法得到非淬火样品,然后分别在190℃下高温退火不同时间(0~48 h),采用示差扫描量热仪(DSC)、广角X射线衍射仪(WAXD)、偏光显微镜(POM)等表征手段研究热处理对体系晶体熔融行为和结晶结构的影响.结果表明,(1)在相同的热历史条件下,嵌段共聚物的存在影响了尼龙6的结晶行为及结晶结构;(2)退火处理对两种样品有着不同的影响,对于尼龙6体系,退火处理促进了非晶相向晶相的转变,大大提高样品的结晶完善程度和结晶度;对于共混体系,退火处理同样促进了非晶相向晶相的转变,同时形成新的α型和γ型结晶,体系的结晶完善程度明显提高,退火48 h后,结晶度比原始样品提高约84%.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(succinimide-co-6-aminocaproic acid) by acid-catalyzed polycondensation of L-aspartic acid and 6-aminocaproic acid

The polycondensation of L -aspartic acid ( ASP ) with 6-aminocaproic acid ( ACA ) using o-phosphoric acid produced poly(succinimide-co-6-aminocaproic acid). The yield of the MeOH-insoluble copolymer decreased from 99 to 52% and that of the MeOH-soluble one increased from 9 to 47%, with increasing molar ratio of ACA in the monomer feed. The compositions of the succinimide ( SCI ) unit in the MeOH -insoluble and -soluble copolymers tended to be higher than those of ASP in the monomer feed. The copolymers with the 35 mol % SCI units or above were soluble in DMSO , DMF , and conc- H₂SO₄ , but those with the 20 and 21 mol % SCI units were soluble only in conc-H₂SO₄. The melting temperature appeared for the copolymers with less than 76 mol % SCI units. Poly(succinimide-co-6-aminocaproic acid) was easily hydrolyzed to yield poly(aspartic acid-co-6-aminocaproic acid), and it exhibited biodegradability toward activated sludge. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synergistic effect of SEBS-g-MA and epoxy on toughening of polyamide 6/glass fiber composites

Maleated styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS-g-MA) and epoxy monomer, individually or in combination, are used to toughen polyamide 6/glass fiber composites. The epoxy monomer enhanced interaction between polyamide 6 and glass fiber. SEBS-g-MA rubber is uniformly dispersed in polyamide 6 matrix caused by the preferred compatibilizing reaction between the anhydride group of rubber and the amine terminal group of polyamide 6. The addition of epoxy does not affect the fine dispersion of SEBS-g-MA. Polyamide 6/glass fiber binary composites are brittle. The addition of epoxy monomer alone does not change their brittle features. Similarly, in the absence of epoxy monomer, adding 20 wt % of SEBS-g-MA to polyamide 6/glass fiber composites does not greatly increase the tensile ductility. Only when both SEBS-g-MA and epoxy monomer are present in some combination, do the polyamide 6/glass fiber composites show prominent ductile characteristics, such as stress-whitening and necking. This synergistic effect of epoxy monomer and SEBS-g-MA also imparts higher notched impact strengths to the ternary composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1448–1458, 2007     

Synthesis of aromatic polyamides having pyridine moiety and their lyotropic properties in solution

Fully aromatic polyamide containing pyridine moieties (PPy) were successfully synthesized either by interfacial or solution polycondensation to prepare polyamide with inherent viscosity as high as 4. Solution properties of PPy in sulfuric acid were investigated in terms of solution viscosity and lyotropic behavior. The polyamide had a better solubility in sulfuric acid than in poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PT) and the PPy solution in sulfuric acid exhibited an optically anisotropic property in a wider range of concentrations at relatively low temperatures in comparison with the PT solution. Viscosities of the PPy solution and the film cast from the PPy solution indicated a phenomenon characteristic of a highly oriented rigid polymer molecule caused by a lyotropic behavior.     

Orientation in nylon 6 films as determined by the three-dimensional polarized infrared technique

A three-dimensional polarized infrared technique was used to obtain information about molecular orientation in both uniaxially and biaxially drawn nylon 6 films. The 835 and 930 cm^?1 bands were used to describe the orientation of the A (extended chain) conformation while absorptions at 1175 cm^?1, and 1120 cm^?1 and 1075 cm^?1 were used to give some information about orientation of the B (twisted chain) conformation. On the basis of the 835 and 930 cm^?1 bands, it was shown that the hydrogen-bonded sheets made up of chains in the A conformation are parallel to the film surface in the biaxially drawn film. Uniaxially drawn films obtained by drawing both at 100 and 150°C showed a high degree of chain alignment in the draw direction for the A conformation at draw ratios greater than 2.5. Some planar orientation was also observed in these uniaxially drawn films for both the A and B conformations at high draw ratios.     

Aromatic polyamides. IV. A novel synthesis of sulfonated poly(para-phenyleneterephthalamide): Polymerization of terephthalic acid and para-phenylenediamine in sulfur trioxide

A novel polyamide condensation reaction of aromatic diamines (usually as strong inorganic acid salts) and aromatic diacids in SO₃ has been discovered. para-Phenylenediamine was polymerized with terephthalic acid in SO₃ at 20–47% polymer concentration to form highly anisotropic (liquid crystalline) sulfonated poly(p-phenyleneterephthalamide) (SPT) solutions (dopes) with inherent viscosities as high as 1.6. Sulfonation of the aromatic diamine ring was a major side reaction. The effects of reaction variables such as temperature, time, monomer concentration, stoichiometry, and solvent acidity on molecular weight were studied. The dopes were spun to fiber, but tensile properties were limited by coagulation problems associated with hydrophilicity of the highly sulfonated polymer. Thermogravimetric analysis of SPT at 20°C/min showed weight loss only above 450°C.     

Structures for monodisperse oligoamides. A novel structure for unfolded three-amide nylon 6 and relationship with a three-amide nylon 6 6

Three-amide oligomers of nylon 6 and nylon 6 6 have been investigated using electron microscopy (imaging and diffraction), X-ray diffraction, and computational modeling. A new crystal structure has been discovered for the three-amide oligomer of nylon 6. This material crystallizes from chloroform/dodecane solutions into an unfolded crystal form that has progressively sheared hydrogen bonding in two directions between polar (unidirectional) chains. This structure is quite different from the usual room temperature α-phase structure of chain-folded nylon 6 crystals, in which alternatingly sheared hydrogen bonding occurs between chains of opposite polarity in only one direction. The occurrence of this new structure illustrates the extent to which progressively sheared hydrogen bonding is preferred over alternatingly sheared hydrogen bonding. Indeed, the progressive hydrogen bonding scheme occurs in the three-amide nylon 6 material even though it requires a disruption to the lowest potential energy all-trans conformation of the chain backbone, and requires all the chains in each hydrogen-bonded layer to be aligned in the same direction. We believe the presence of chain folding, which necessarily incorporates adjacent chains of opposite polarity into the crystal structure, prevents the formation of this new crystal structure in the nylon 6 polymer. In contrast, the three-amide nylon 6 6 crystal structure is analogous to the polymeric nylon 6 6 α-phase structure, found in both fibers and chain-folded crystals, and consists of progressive hydrogen-bonded sheets which stack with a progressive shear. In both structures, the molecules (≈ 3 nm in length) form smectic C-like layers with well-orchestrated stacking of 2.2 nm to form a three-dimensional crystal. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 2849–2863, 1998