Polyamide 6–Cellulose Composites: Effect of Cellulose Composition on Melt Rheology and Crystallization Behavior

Abstract

Melt rheology and crystallization behavior of polyamide 6 (PA 6) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) composites were systematically studied in this research. The incorporation of MCC into the PA 6 matrix resulted in higher complex viscosities (|η*|), storage modulus (G′), and shear viscosities than those of neat PA 6, especially at low frequencies. The orientation of rigid molecular chains in the composites introduced by the addition of MCC induced a strong shear thinning behavior with an increase in MCC loading. The non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics of PA 6 and MCC composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The Avrami and Tobin model were applied to describe the process of non‐isothermal crystallization and to determine the crystallization parameters of the composites. Analysis of the crystallization kinetics indicated that the Avrami (na) and Tobin exponent (nt) was altered by the MCC. It was also found that the Avrami and Tobin equations fit the empirical data well. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:739–746, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

Mechanical, Morphological, and Thermal Properties of Nutshell and Microcrystalline Cellulose Filled High-Density Polyethylene Composites

“…Compared with synthetic fibers, the utilization of natural fibers has been growing rapidly in recent years because of their renewable nature, low cost, low density, low thermal conductivity, non-toxicity, and high mechanical properties (Eichhorn et al 2010;Kiziltas et al 2013;Peng et al 2014;Ifuku and Yano 2015;Zulkifli et al 2015). Despite their advantages, these fibers have several drawbacks, including durability, which affects their applications, high moisture adsorption, and limited thermal stability (Spoljaric et al 2009;Peng et al 2014).…”

Estudo da estabilidade térmica e propriedades mecânicas de nanocompósitos de poliamida 6,6 com nanofibras de celulose

“…As poliamidas alifáticas são muito conhecidas na indústria de plásticos de engenharia e podem ser produzidas comercialmente por condensação de diaminas com os ácidos dibásicos, pela auto-condensação de um aminoácido ou pela polimerização com abertura de anel de uma caprolactana [13]. Apesar do grande interesse tecnológico nas poliamidas, apenas alguns estudos de compósitos poliméricos de poliamidas 6 e 6,6/celulose foram publicados [4,8,9,14]. O principal desafio no desenvolvimento desses compósitos está relacionado com a baixa estabilidade térmica dos materiais celulósicos e a relativa alta temperatura necessária no processamento convencional das poliamidas.…”

“…O principal desafio no desenvolvimento desses compósitos está relacionado com a baixa estabilidade térmica dos materiais celulósicos e a relativa alta temperatura necessária no processamento convencional das poliamidas. Kaziltas e colaboradores [4,14] estudaram extensivamente a aplicação de celulose microcristalina como agente de reforço em poliamida 6 e 6,6 no estado fundido, devido ao fato da celulose microcristalina apresentar maior estabilidade térmica quando comparada com outras estruturas nanocelulósicas. Qua e Hornsby [8] obtiveram filmes de compósitos de poliamida 6 reforçados com nanocristais de celulose via solução casting.…”

Effect of Boron-Zinc-Aluminum-Silicium Compounds on the Fire Performance of Ultra-Low Density Fiberboards (ULDFs)

“…This interest in eco-friendly materials has resulted in a rise in the use of natural fibers (Bismarck et al 2005;Xie et al 2011). Especially in recent years, natural fibers have been the preferred reinforcement or filler in polymer composites, rather than glass and carbon fiber, because of their low cost, sustainability, biodegradability, and light weight (Holbery and Houston 2006;Thomas et al 2011;Kiziltas et al 2014).…”