Single Polymer Composites by Partially Melting Recycled Polyamide 6 Fibers: Preparation and Characterization

Recycled polyamide 6 (PA6) cloth was used as the only raw material to prepare single polymer composites (SPC) by partially melting the PA6 fibers. During the process, part of PA6 fibers was melted to fill the gap between the remained fibers at a temperature in the melting temperature range of fibers. The matrix was in situ formed by recrystallization of the molten part and bonded the remained unmolten fibers together with cooling. Effects of a critical parameter, processing temperature (222-228 degrees C), on the partially melting behavior of PA6 fibers and the properties of the resulting SPC were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and tensile tests. As a result, at the processing temperature of 226 degrees C, 31% of PA6 fibers were exactly molt to form the matrix and the tensile strength of prepared SPC achieved a maximal value of 138 MPa that was 105% higher than the one of neat PA6. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 3357-3363, 2010