The Effect of Processing Methods and Nucleating Agents on the Wear Resistance and Crystallinity Behavior of Nylon 11

Nylon 11 is widely used in abrasion-resistant coatings due to its excellent wear resistance and processability. Here, the effects of different processing methods (pre-treatment temperatures, melting temperatures, and heating programs) and nucleating agents (silica, talcum powder, and montmorillonite) on the crystallinity behavior and wear resistance of Nylon 11 were systematically analyzed. The results show that pre-treating Nylon 11 at 80-100 °C enhances its wear resistance, and its friction coefficient drops to ~0.16. Melting temperature influences both the processing flowability and wear resistance of Nylon 11. Specifically, when the melting temperature exceeds 195 °C, wear resistance improves significantly and its friction coefficient decreases from 0.32 to 0.17. Moreover, variations in the heating program also affect the wear resistance of Nylon 11. Optimal wear resistance is achieved when Nylon 11 is held at both 165 °C and 185 °C for 10 min (friction coefficient: ~0.17). The nucleating agents (silica, talcum powder, and montmorillonite) do not change the crystalline morphology of Nylon 11, which predominantly exhibits an orthorhombic α-phase. However, as the content of nucleating agents increases (0-1 wt%), the crystallinity first rises and then declines, with its highest value being 46.48%. This work emphasizes the critical role of processing methods and nucleating agents in the wear resistance and crystallinity behavior of Nylon 11, providing valuable insights for their performance optimization.