“In-Situ Network” Composite Fibers of Pbzt/Nylon

Abstract

ABSTRACTA novel method of preparing PBZT/nylon composite fibers by infiltrating nylon into pure PBZT fiber is described. The pure PBZT fiber formed a microfibrillar network structure during coagulation, which is effective in reinforcing the matrix in the “in-situ network” composite fibers (designated IC). These new composite fibers exhibit nearly indistinguishable mechanical properties as those of “molecular” composite fibers (MC) prepared from isotropic solutions before and after tension heat-treatment (E = 44 GPa, σ = 430 MPa, ε = 1.2 %, σc = 250 MPa, G = 1.75 GPa) for PBZT/nylon weight ratios equal to unity.The fine structure of pure PBZT and its composite fibers spun from isotropic solutions was characterized using techniques based on nitrogen adsorption, small-angle X-ray scattering, scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The structure of both type of composites was found to be a microfibrillar network of PBZT in a matrix of amorphous nylon. The average diameters of the PBZT microfibrils were in the range of 10 to 20 nm for the IC and 4 nm for the MC.