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Low-Temperature Fibre Direct Compounding of Cellulose Fibres into PA6
Janez Slapnik1, Yuanxi Liu2, Robert Kupfer2
1Faculty of Polymer Technology, Ozare 19, 2380 Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 14, 2022
Summary
A new low-temperature fibre direct compounding (LT-FDC) method reduces thermal stress in polymer composites. While fibre dispersion is reduced, this novel approach enhances mechanical properties of polyamide 6 and cellulose fibre composites.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science and Engineering
- Materials Science
- Composite Materials
Background:
- Conventional polymer processing methods like twin-screw extrusion can induce significant thermal stress on thermosensitive components.
- This thermal stress can lead to degradation of both the polymer matrix and reinforcing fibres, negatively impacting composite properties.
- Developing processing techniques that minimize thermal degradation is crucial for high-performance polymer composites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel low-temperature fibre direct compounding (LT-FDC) process for polymer composites.
- To investigate the impact of LT-FDC on the thermal stress, morphology, and properties of polyamide 6 (PA6) reinforced with cellulose fibres (CeF).
- To compare the LT-FDC method with conventional processing techniques.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of PA6/CeF composites using LT-FDC and conventional twin-screw extrusion.
- Characterization of composite properties via optical microscopy (OM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), colorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile testing.
- Evaluation of fibre dispersion, fibre degradation, and mechanical performance.
Main Results:
- LT-FDC processing resulted in lower fibre degradation compared to conventional methods.
- Fibre dispersion was less optimal with LT-FDC compared to conventional processing.
- LT-FDC composites showed a significant increase in tensile modulus (up to 32%) and storage modulus at 120 °C (up to 50%) compared to neat PA6.
- Tensile strength decreased by 20% in LT-FDC composites.
Conclusions:
- The LT-FDC process effectively reduces thermal stress and fibre degradation during the compounding of PA6/CeF composites.
- Despite challenges in fibre dispersion, LT-FDC enhances key mechanical properties, particularly modulus, at elevated temperatures.
- This novel processing approach offers a promising alternative for manufacturing composites with thermosensitive components.
