Oligomer composition and content in regenerated PA6 fiber and its effect on properties

Abstract

AbstractThe preparation process from waste fibers to regenerated fibers is an environmental significance work. In this work, liquid chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, advanced polymer chromatography/multi‐angle laser‐light‐scattering/refractive index detector, and two‐dimensional wide‐angle X‐ray diffractometry were employed to characterize the polycaprolactam(PA6) fibers above oligomers composition and content, molecular weight and distribution, crystallization and orientation, and analyzing the changes in mechanical properties. The total content of oligomers in physical and chemical regenerated PA6 fiber is 2.084 wt% and 1.812 wt%, individually, which is higher than that in waste PA6 fiber. And the oligomer content of C1–C4 (cyclic monomer, cyclic dimer, cyclic trimer, and cyclic tetramer) in the regenerated PA6 fiber is higher than that of waste PA6 fiber. The regenerated PA6 fiber sample contains more low‐molecular‐weight substances, making it easier to form crystal nuclei and crystallize. During the dyeing process of the regenerated PA6 fiber, the γ crystal transformed into α crystal. The tensile strength of physical and chemical regenerated PA6 fiber is lower than that of waste PA6 fiber. And after dyeing, the oligomers content of regenerated PA6 fiber is significantly decreased, especially in C1–C4 oligomer. However, the crystalliniy and orientation of regenerated PA6 fibers were improved, which also leads to the fracture strength increased by about 20% compared to undyed fibers.