Polymer Engineering Faculty Research
Investigation of Microstructure Developed in Injection Molded Nylon 6 Nanocomposites
Abstract
The spatial variation of the microstructure developed along the thickness of injection-molded unfilled nylon 6 and nylon 6 nanocomposites are presented using small-angle laser light scattering (SALS) Hv-Vv patterns and micro beam wide angle X-Ray scattering (WAXS) patterns along with corresponding polarized optical microscopy pictures. The microstructure of unfilled nylon 6 changes from undeformed to deformed spherulitic case by the introduction of nanoparticles. The local spherulitic structure of the injection-molded samples from skin to core is addressed by their sizes and aspect ratios. These experiments indicate the development of significant chain orientation levels with the minor axis of the spherulites fluctuating in and out of the flow direction throughout the injection-molded part for the filled systems even at high temperatures.