Radiation-induced grafting of vinyl benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride onto nylon-6 fabric

Vinyl benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (VBTAC) was grafted onto nylon-6 fabric in the presence of 2- hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) by the simultaneous irradiation method in the presence of air with ⁶⁰Co γ-radiations. An increase in grafting was observed with increasing dose. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the grafting of VBTAC. Morphological changes after grafting were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed changes in crystallinity on grafting. The initial studies carried out with grafted nylon fabric showed behavioural changes in the burning properties.     

Porosity control in nylon-6/nylon-6, 6 membranes

The possibility of porosity control in N6/N66 membranes prepared from N6/N66 blend solutions of calcium chloride – methanol mixture was investigated. For N6/N66 blend solutions at 10 °C and 20 °C, the four-phase structure of solid, gel 1, gel 2 and solution was observed clearly in the pore formation process after adding water on a solution surface. In the boundary part between gel 1 and gel 2, the phase separation of N6 and N66 was predicted. The macroscopic pores of blend membranes prepared at 10°C and 20 °C were almost spherical.     

Polymorphism of nylon-6 in nylon-6/nanoclay/functionalized polyolefin blends

The crystallization behavior of Nylon-6 and the interaction in Nylon-6/nanoclay/functionalized polyolefin blends were investigated by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. For samples without any thermal history, the interaction between Nylon-6 and nanoclay or the interaction between Nylon-6 and functionalized polyolefin favors the formation of γ form crystal. In contrast, the presence of both nanoclay and functionalized polyolefin together in Nylon-6 was found to have an antagonistic effect on each other's ability to promote the formation of γ form crystal. This was attributed to the complex interactions between the constituents. The crystallization behavior of Nylon-6 in Nylon-6/nanoclay/functionalized polyolefin blends is clearly affected by the cointeraction of these effects. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1494–1502, 2007     

Solvent-induced crystallization of nylon-6I

The ability of various hydrogen bond-forming solvents to induce crystallinity in nylon-6I was studied using DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. Comparison was made with predictions using the solubility parameter, which is related to possibilities of interaction formation. General predicted tendencies agreed with experimental results, in agreement with proposed influence of solvent-polymer interactions in the solvent-induced crystallization process. FTIR investigation of polymers treated with methanol and methanol-d shows that polymer segments forming hydrogen bonds with solvent molecules crystallize preferentially. It is therefore concluded that hydrogen bond exchanges with the solvent favor chain rearrangements leading to crystallization. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Solutions of nylon-6 in antimony trichloride

Dilute solution viscosity measurements of nylon-6 in molten SbCl₃ reveal a polyelectrolyte effect that becomes more pronounced with increased molecular weight of the polymer sample. Intrinisic viscosities result in a relationship of [η] = 2.35 × 10^?6M^1.45_w for nylon-6 in SbCl₃ at 100°C, which indicates a high polymeric chain extension in molten SbCl₃ in the limit of zero concentration. Infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra indicate that a substantial fraction of the amide groups in each polymer chain remains unaffected, whereas the rest is interacted, probably, with SbCl₄-ions originating from the self-ionization of SbCl₃.     

Investigation of nylon-6 fibre structure interferometrically

Multiple-beam Fizeau fringes are used to study the changes in optical properties of Nylon-6 γ-irradiated fibres. Changes in fibre structures due to drawing have been studied using two-beam interference. Some structural parameters such as optical orientation function and electric polarizability difference (Δ/3₀) were determined. Δ/3₀ is found to be constant and depends only on the fibre structure. The generalized Lorantz-Loranz equation given by de Vries is used to determine Nylon-6 fibre structural parameters. Comparison between the results and when using Lorantz-Loranz equation are given. Refractive index profiles also can help in fibre investigations.     

Dynamic mechanical analysis of RIM nylon-6

The β relaxation process was shown to occur at different temperatures and exhibit a different activation energy for dry and wet samples prepared by reaction injection molding (RIM) of Nylon-6. By employing a low operating frequency and controlled low moisture levels, it became possible to distinguish the two β relaxation processes, β₁ and β₂, in one sample by dynamic mechanical spectroscopy. It was shown that while β₁ was associated with moisture in the sample, β₂ was related to a structural mechanism independent of moisture. The effect of moisture content on the chain-chain association (α relaxation process) and chain-water association (β₁, relaxation process) in nylon-6 was assessed. The annealing mechanism of RIM Nylon-6 at 85°C was probed by both dynamic mechanical spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction.     

Block copolyetheramides III. Blends of nylon-6 and block copolyetheramides

Blends of Nylon-6 and block copolyetheramides with hard segments of Nylon-6 and soft segments of poly(tetramethylene ether) were prepared. The impact strength of the blends was enhanced by the presence of the block copolyetheramides as compared to the Nylon-6. Different block copolyetheramides exhibited different effects on the impact strength which could be described as the difference in compatibility between the Nylon-6 and the Nylon-6 segments of the block copolymers. The difference in compatibility was verified by the investigations of TEM and DSC. As the caprolactam content of the block copolyetheramides increased, the compatibility between the Nylon-6 and the Nylon-6 segments of the block copolymers was enhanced and the blends exhibited a higher impact strength in general. The heat deflection temperature of the blends decreased as the polyether content (depending on the type and the content of the block copolyetheramide) of the blends increased. When the polyether content was ≤ or 20 wt %, a small decrease in heat distortion temperature was found. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Diffusion of nonionic azo dyes in nylon-6

Diffusion of 2,4-dinitroaniline and three nonionic azo dyes in Nylon-6 film was studied by analysis of the concentration-distance curves (profiles) of penetrants in the polymer. Actual diffusivities D_(c) of penetrants in polymer, diffusion coefficients as a function of the concentration C_f of penetrant in polymer, were calculated from the profile. It was found that D_(c) is almost constant or decreases gradually with decreasing C_f in the range of high-medium C_f but decreases appreciably with decreasing C_f at low C_f. The change in D_(c) with C_f was explained in terms of the dual-mode sorption-diffusion model. The penetrants diffuse in the polymer as two distinct species, i.e., a dissolved species and an adsorbed species. The former is the penetrant taken up by the polymer by a partition mechanism (dissolved species) and the latter is that taken up by Langmuir sorption (adsorbed species). The actual diffusivity D_P(c) of the dissolved species decreases with decreasing C_f. While the actual diffusivity D_L(c) of the adsorbed species normally increases gradually with decreasing C_f. D_P(c) is usually larger than D_L(c). © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Brill transition of nylon-6 in electrospun nanofibers

Electrospun nylon-6 fibers were prepared from its polyelectrolyte solution in formic acid with different concentrtaions. In situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), wide-angle X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were performed on the nylon-6 fibers heated to various temperatures until melting. For comparison, stepwise annealing of the solution-cast film having exclusively the α-form was also carried out to elucidate the structural evolution. Our results showed that Brill transition in the electrospun fibers occurs at a lower temperature than that in the solution-cast film due to the crystal size difference. Differential scanning calorimetry heating traces on the as-spun fibers exhibited a unique crystalline phase with a melting temperature of ～235?°C, higher than the equilibrium melting temperature of nylon-6. The content of high melting temperature (HMT) phase increased with increasing nylon-6 concentration; a maximum of 30?% of the fiber crystallinity was reached for fibers obtained from the 22?wt.% solution regardless of the heating rates used. Based on the SAXS and FTIR results, we speculated that the HMT phase is associated with thick α-form crystals developed from the highly oriented nylon-6 chains that are preserved in the skin layer of the as-spun fibers. A plausible mechanism for the formation of the skin/core fiber morphology during electrospinning was proposed.     

Thickening of crystals during rapid heating. I. Linear polyethylene and nylon-6

The change of long spacing in polyethylene and nylon-6 during heating at 18°C/min. was measured with an apparatus devised for rapid measurement of the small-angle x-ray diffraction. The apparatus made it possible to obtain a diffraction profile in 1.8 sec. Long spacings increased notably at high temperatures near the melting point, as has been observed during low-rate heating. However, the increase in long spacing during heating was very small in a methoxymethylated nylon-6 sample. This suggests that the increase in the long spacing at high temperature is due to the thickening of crystals. The long spacing in polyethylene samples in the vicinity of the melting point is apparently independent of thermal history.     

Impact fracture behavior of nylon-6/ABS blends

Tensile and impact properties of uncompatibilized nylon-6/ABS blends have been studied over the entire range of compositions. The blends were prepared by extrusion and, subsequently, injection molded into tensile specimens and rectangular plaques. The impact fracture performance was characterized using recently proposed models based on fracture mechanics, for various fracture behaviors. The results showed that nylon-6 breaks in a brittle manner. With the addition of ABS, the blend exhibits the same behavior with a slightly lower impact resistance up to about 60 wt %. A sudden jump in the value of impact fracture energy is observed around 70 wt % ABS with a brittle—ductile transition in the mechanism of fracture. The transition in fracture mechanisms is confirmed through observation of the fracture surfaces by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tensile tests showed that the elongation at break increases only slightly between 0 and 50% ABS content, but a significant jump occurs around 70% ABS, reaching a 6-fold increase in comparison to that of the pure components. SEM observation of etched samples shows that a cocontinuous morphology occurs around 70 wt % ABS. The peak observed for the elongation at break and the jump in impact performance, as well as the onset of brittle–ductile transition, are attributed to this morphological effect. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 2583–2592, 1997     

Sorption and transport of water in nylon-6 films

Sorption and transport properties of water through films of Nylon-6 were obtained at 5, 23, and 40°C. Commercially available films were used and a Cahn electrobalance was employed for measuring the water uptake by the polymer samples. Values of the water sorption isotherms are accurately described by the Langmuir/Flory-Huggins dual-mode sorption model. At water activity values below 0.15, the volume fraction of water described by the Langmuir portion of the model was greater than the Flory-Huggins population. Solubility and diffusion coefficients of water, as well as the diffusion activation energy and enthalpy of dissolution of water for Nylon-6, were determined from the sorption experiments. Values obtained support the hypothesis of a bimodal water sorption mode, and the formation of water clusters. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structure of the iodine columns in iodinated nylon-6

A study of iodine-complexed nylon 6 films by polarized resonance Raman spectra shows the presence of both I ₃^? and I ₅^? species, the latter most likely in the form of an I ₂/ I ₃^? complex. Polarization characteristics of the Raman spectra show that the I ₂/ I ₃ units are orinted along the polymer chain and the I ₃^? ions are perpendicular to the chain axis. The I ₂/ I ₃^? units are in a more stable moiety than the I ₃^? species. These Raman results are consistent with the x-ray diffraction data.     

Radiation-induced grafting of acrylic acid to nylon-6 in solution

The mutal irradiation technique has been employed to graft acrylic acid to nylon-6 in solution. Homogeneity of reactants and products was achieved by the use of the mixed solvent, o-chlorophenol-methanol (55·6/44·4 vol). The process resembled the heterogeneous grafting to nylon film rather than the homopolymerization of acrylic acid in solution. Some evidence is presented for a micellar growth of the graft copolymer.     

Investigating the homogeneity of nylon-6 and polyvinyl alcohol blend

Viscosity measurements were used for measuring the rheological behavior of the nylon-6 and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blends in solution and hence their compatibility. The change of different viscosities of various blend compositions showed straight line, curve linear, and S-shape. The effect of concentration of one polymer over the other is also explained. This behavior is explained on the basis of the miscibility of the polymers in various blend compositions. The article is published in the original.     

Small-angle neutron and x-ray scattering study of swollen nylon-6

Results of swelling and small-angle scattering experiments on samples of nylon-6 swollen with heavy water are discussed on the basis of the lamellar and switchboard models. The small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) intensity is very sensitive to the distribution of water in swollen samples, while the small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) data characterize the dry samples. The observed values of the mean-square fluctuation of scattering-density can be explained by a model with assumed inhomogeneous swelling of the amorphous phase.     

Interpenetrating blends of rigid aromatic fractal polyamides and nylon-6

Blends of nylon-6 and up to 20% rigid aromatic fractal polyamides (FPs) were prepared by precipitation from a mutual solvent and by two melt-processing procedures. In general, no grafting of the flexible linear nylon chains onto the rigid FPs took place, but in several instances of melt-blending of nylon with FPs whose amine end-groups were exposed, a low level of grafting occurred. The glass transition temperature and the tensile modulus and yield strength of the blends were greatly elevated as function of the FP concentration in the blends. This was demonstrated to be caused by the openness and rigidity of the FPs, and the connectivity of the FP segments through rigid branchpoints. The great porosity of the FPs allows the chains of the amorphous fraction of the nylon to interpenetrate and pass through the FPs, and the stiff segments of the FPs to suppress the chain motions of the nylon, which accounts for the enhanced glass transition temperature (T_g) and tensile properties. When non-porous amorphous silica particles or stiff linear or essentially unbranched zigzag polyamides were blended with the nylon, the T_g of the nylon either did not change at all or changed only very little. Several analytical procedures were used to verify that the nylon chains occupied most of the free space in the pervaded volumes of the FPs in the as-prepared blends and filled this space completely when these blends were compression-molded. The point where the FPs filled all the volume of the amorphous fraction of the nylon-6 was reached between 5 and 7.5% FP concentration. Below this, traces of the original nylon-6 T_g could be occasionally detected. Above it, only the high T_g of the nylon chains interpenetrated in the FPs was detected.