Structure changes caused by strain annealing of nylon 6 fibers

Experiments are described in which nylon 6 fibers are annealed while subjected to a constant stretch (or slack). Subsequent mechanical and structural measurements are described and analyzed. A paracrystalline structure model is proposed in which folded chains, fully extended chains, partially folded, and partially extended chains coexist in the highly drawn high strength fiber. An explanation of structural changes occurring during the thermal-mechanical treatment is that the folded and partially folded chains are arranged randomly in staggered fashion in small units throughout the structure. During slack annealing, the chains become more folded and shrinkage occurs. Some of the chain refolding will be permanent and may act as new defect sites thereby reducing fracture stress. During annealing in the presence of comparatively high tensile stresses the folded chains are unfolded to some extent, but not completely, and the load-carrying chains in the structure are more uniformly loaded. At the higher applied strains during annealing, chains are broken and may snap back into folds. The tension annealing increases the overall chain orientation, the strained segment uniformity, and the number of load-bearing chains. These factors may contribute to an increased fracture stress.