Processing of Hybrid Nanocomposite High Performance Fibers (UHMWPE+Nylon 6+CNT+MAH) Using Solution Spinning Technique

Abstract

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber blends with Nylon-6 and reinforced with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) were produced using a solution spinning process. Polyethylene-graft-Maleic Anhydride (PE-g-MAH) was used as a compatibilizer to enhance the interfacial bonding between the polymer phases. The loading of Nylon-6, MAH, and SWCNTs with respect to UHMWPE was 20 wt.%, 10 wt.% and 2 wt.% respectively. The development of morphological characteristics due to the inclusion of a compatibilizer in an immiscible hybrid polymer nanocomposite fiber is hereby discussed. Characterization studies of the hybrid fibers were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).