Abstract
On an industrial scale, it is a challenge to achieve cellulose based nanocomposites due to dispersion issues and high process temperatures sensitivity. The current study describes methods to develop mechanically strong and thermally stable polyamide 6 (PA 6) and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) composites capable of tolerating high processing temperatures. With PA 6 being a very technical polymer matrix to be reinforced with CNF, good dispersion can be achieved with a high speed kinetic mixer and also shield the CNF from excess thermal degradation by implementing extremely short processing time. This paper presents an industrially feasible method to produce PA 6/CNF nanocomposites with high CNF composition processed by a high speed kinetic mixer (GELIMAT®) followed by compression molding to obtain a homogenous and thermally stable nanocomposites aimed at high performance applications. PA 6 was reinforced with three different wt % formulations (5, 15 and 25 wt %) of cellulose nanofibers. The resulting nanocomposites exhibited significant increase in Young’s modulus and ultimate strength with CNF content, owing to the effective melt processing and the surface charge density of the CNF, which necessitated the dispersion. The thermal stability and polymer crystallinity with respect to CNF composition for the PA 6/CNF nanocomposites were examined by TGA and DSC analysis. Rheology studies indicated that viscosity of the composites increased with increase in CNF composition. Overall, this work demonstrates industrially viable manufacturing processes to fabricate high performance PA 6/CNF nanocomposites.
Highlights
Accepted: 3 May 2021Polyamide 6/nylon 6 (PA 6) is an engineering thermoplastic boasting good mechanical integrity, thermal properties, chemical and dimensional stability
Minimizing the exposure time of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) to high processing temperatures was key in obtaining composites with the preserved integrity of CNF
The mechanical properties were improved with the addition of CNF, with 25 wt % formulation showing the highest tensile values, in Young’s modulus and in tensile strength
Summary
Accepted: 3 May 2021Polyamide 6/nylon 6 (PA 6) is an engineering thermoplastic boasting good mechanical integrity, thermal properties, chemical and dimensional stability. The performance of PA 6 can be further enhanced by reinforcing the polymer matrix with fibrous or crystalline filler [2]. Incorporating natural fibers to polymeric matrixes generates lower CO2 emission, and increases the biodegradability of the material [3]. Used synthetic fibers such as glass and carbon fibers possess higher density than natural fibers, comparably to such synthetic fibers, natural fibers reinforcement can provide high specific mechanical properties to the polymer composites [4]. Further studies have revealed that incorporating natural fiber-fillers with their dimension in nanoscale, significantly improves the mechanical properties of neat polymers due to their high specific strength and high aspect ratio [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
