Nylon 6/PET Polymer Blends: Mechanical Properties of Fibers

Abstract

Nylon 6/PET (polyethylene terephthalate) polymer blends (PET varying from 10–50%) were melt spun into fibers. Their tensile properties (at room temperature) and dynamic mechanical properties (at 110 Hz from room temperature to 200°C) were studied. An increase in the initial modulus with increasing PET content was observed. The tenacity showed an increase and then a subsequent decrease after 70/30 nylon 6/PET composition. The blend fibers showed lower extensibility. Various theories connecting modulus and tenacity (independently) with composition, interfacial adhesion, and dispersed phase morphology helped to explain the observed tensile properties. The loss tangent maxima is shifted to a higher temperature with increased PET content in the blend fiber, while the relaxation peaks become broader up to a certain composition. Further, the storage modulus increases throughout with the increase in the PET content. The Takayanagi series and parallel models have been applied, and the results describe the structural and morphological features of the blend fiber, besides explaining some of the properties.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Brandrup

Immergut

E. H.

, “Polymer Handbook,’ 2nd ed., Interscience, New York, 1975.

2. Dickie

R. A.

, Heterogenous Polymer-Polymer Composites, I: Theory of Viscoelastic Properties and Equivalent Mechanical Models, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 17, 45–63 (1973).

3. Ferry

J. D.

, “Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers,’ John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 1970, p. 512.

4. Hersh

S. P.

, Properties and Uses of Polyblend Fibres, I: General Review, App. Polym. Sym. 31, 37–53 (1977).

5. Kerner

E. H.

, Elastic and Thermoelastic Properties of Composite Media, Proc. Phys. Soc. 69B, 808–813 (1956).

6. Kitao

Kobayashi

Ikegami

Ohya

, Fibers from Polyblends Containing Nylon 6 as Basic Component, I: Melt Spinning and Physical Properties of Blend Fibers, J. Polym. Sci. 18, 1639–1654 (1974).

7. Leinder

Woodhams

R. T.

, The Strength of Polymeric Composites Containing Spherical Fillers, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 18, 1639–1654 (1974).

8. Nielsen

L. E.

, Simple Theory of Stress-strain Properties of Filled Polymers, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 10, 97–103 (1966).

9. Nielsen

L. E.

, Mechanical Properties of Particulate-Filled Systems, J. Compos. Mater. 1 (1), 100–119 (1967).

10.

10. Papero

P. V.

Kubu

Roldan

, Fundamental Property Considerations in Tailoring a New Fiber, Textile Res. J. 37, 823–833 (1967).

11.

11. Paul

, Prediction of Elastic Constants of Multiphase Materials, Trans. Metallurg. Soc. AIME 218, 36–41 (1960).

12.

12. Prevorsek

D. C.

Butler

R. H.

Reimschuessel

H. K.

, Mechanical Relaxations in Polyamides, J. Polym. Sci. A-2 9, 867–886 (1971).

13.

13. Sato

Furukawa

, A Molecular Theory of Filler Reinforcement Based on the Concept of Internal Deformation, J. Rubber Chem. Technol. 35, 857–876 (1962).

14.

14. Tomichi

Takezo

Kogen

Takao

, Jpn. Pat, 71 04, 336 (to Teigin Ltd.) Feb. 3, 1971.

15.

15. Uemura

Takayanagi

, Application of the Theory of Elasticity and Viscosity of Two-phase Systems to Polymer Blends, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 10, 113–125 (1966).

16.

16. Varma

D. S.

Dhar

V. K.

, Studies of Nylon 6/PET Polymer Blends: Structure and Some Physical Properties, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 33, 1103–1124 (1987).

17.

17. Zimmerman

Pearce

E. M.

Miller

I. K.

Muzzio

J. A.

Epstein

I. G.

Hosegood

E. A.

, Reinforcement Factors in Fibers from Block Copolyamides and Polyamide Blends, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 17, 849–861 (1973).