Orientation effect of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets on mechanical properties of nylon 6 composite fibers

Abstract

This research studies orientation and bonding effects of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnPs) in xGnP-Nylon 6 (PA6) nanocomposite fibers experimentally and numerically. xGnPPA6 nanocomposite fibers were manufactured by coagulation and melt spinning process. Asreceived and acid-treated xGnPs were used as reinforcement in the nanocomposites. Numerical simulations were performed to predict and analyze mechanical properties of the nanocomposite fibers. The comparison between simulation and experimental results showed that, as the xGnP content in the nanocomposites increased, the difference between simulation and experimental results increased. The experimental results said tensile modulus of the nanocomposite fibers were improved by increasing draw ratio (DR) between the first and second take-up rollers of a fiber spinning system during melt spinning process. The modulus improvement of nanocomposite fibers seemed to have resulted from both the tensile modulus improvement of PA6 and enhancement of xGnP alignment in the stretched fibers. About the functionalization, acid-treatment might improve interfacial bonding between xGnP and PA6 matrix.