Abstract
In the present study, novel polyamide 6 based woven single polymer composites (WSPC) were developed by powder-coating of woven textile structures with polyamide 6 empty microcapsules (EMC) and subsequent compression molding. To synthesize EMC, activated anionic ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactam by solution/precipitation was applied. Stitched plain fabrics that are promising novel class of woven fabrics and two conventional woven patterns (plain and satin-5 harness) were used as textile reinforcements. The thermal and mechanical properties of all composites were characterized and related to the reinforcements´ morphology, fiber volume fraction and ply orientation. For better understanding of the bonding state at the matrix-fiber interface, stereo-optical microscopy and SEM image analysis by image processing were performed. The data obtained confirmed the existence of a transcrystalline layer (TCL) in the interface region. The mechanical behavior of the composites was related also to the PA6 polymorph content of the samples and their crystallinity indexes determined by wide-angle X-ray diffraction experiments.
Highlights
One of the main advantages of the thermoplastic composites is the possibility for their reprocessing when heated above a certain temperature [1]
For the first time a polyamide 6 (PA6)-based Single Polymer Composites” (SPC) was obtained by a two-stage process comprising: (i) powder-coating of three various PA6-based woven textile structures with previously synthesized anionic PA6 microparticles followed by (ii) consolidation of the composite by compression molding
Based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results, a transcrystalline layer was postulated at the reinforcement/matrix interface in all woven single polymer composites (WSPC) with an average thickness of 1.0–2.5 μm
Summary
One of the main advantages of the thermoplastic composites is the possibility for their reprocessing when heated above a certain temperature [1]. There exist usual techniques for SPC preparation, such as powder impregnation, hot compaction, overheating of fibers (partially melting), film-stacking, and co-extrusion [5,11,12,13] In all of these cases the reinforcing material partially melts during the SPC consolidation, forming the isotropic matrix. In a different study [12], the same authors investigated the effects of elevated mold temperature (222–228 °C) on the tensile properties of PA6-based SPC prepared by hot compaction of recycled PA6 cloth. Tohidi et al [21] studied textile reinforced SPC laminates produced by compression molding of PA6 knitted textile structures powdercoated with PA6 microparticles obtained by AAROP. PA6-based single polymer laminate composites reinforced by conventional (plain and satin) and novel stitched plainwoven structures were produced and designated as WSPC. A systematic comparative study with conventional plain-woven textiles for full morphological characterization of the WSPC on their basis is important for revealing the potential of these new SPC materials
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