The Open Macromolecules Journal

2009, 3 : 37-40
Published online 2009 September 7. DOI: 10.2174/1874343900903010037
Publisher ID: TOMACROJ-3-37

Polyamide 66 Polymorphic Single Polymer Composites

Miro Duhovic , Philipp Maitrot and Stoyko Fakirov
the Centre for Advanced Composite Materials, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand;

ABSTRACT

Exploring the polymorphism phenomenon of polyamide 66 (PA 66) a single polymer composite (SPC) was prepared. The matrix was obtained via compression molding and quenching in ice water expecting to comprise the modification with lower melting temperature (Tm). The reinforcement was commercial textile yarn of PA 66, characterized by a higher Tm. Layers of the yarn were sandwiched between matrix films and compression molded at 250 °C, i.e. 10 °C below Tm of the reinforcement. SEM observations revealed the layered structure of SPC as well as a good adhesion between the composite components due to surface premelting. The tensile testing showed, as compared with the matrix, an increase of the initial modulus by 28% and of the tensile strength by 160% when the reinforcing component of the SPC amounted to only 20 wt%. Optimization of the preparation conditions, including variation of the matrix/reinforcement ratio as well as trialing of other polyamides, is in progress.

Keywords:

Polymorphism, single polymer composites, mechanical properties.