Microinjection molding of polyamide 6

Processing polymers by microinjection molding (μIM) generate specific constraints upon the polymer melt such as high shear stress and rapid cooling, leaving a mark upon the microstructure of the micropart. The present work compares the morphology and structure of polyamide 6 samples produced by melt extrusion and μIM. The specimens obtained were analyzed by polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. α and γ crystalline forms were formed in polyamide 6 samples prepared by both methods. The γ form was dominant in the skin of the microinjection molded part, with larger contribution for these samples compared with extruded samples. The conditions used in μIM lead to considerable orientation at the skin region, decreasing toward the core, while the extruded samples showed almost no orientation. The overall degree of crystallinity of the microinjection molded part was lower compared with the extruded sample. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.