title: Alignment of carbon nanotubes and reinforcing effects in nylon-6 polymer composite fibers.
abstract: Alignment of pristine carbon nanotubes (P-CNTs) and fluorinated carbon nanotubes (F-CNTs) in nylon-6 polymer composite fibers (PCFs) has been achieved using a single-screw extrusion method. CNTs have been used as filler reinforcements to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of nylon-6 composite fibers. The composites were fabricated by dry mixing nylon-6 polymer powder with the CNTs as the first step, then followed by the melt extrusion process of fiber materials in a single-screw extruder. The extruded fibers were stretched to their maxima and stabilized using a godet set-up. Finally, fibers were wound on a Wayne filament winder machine and tested for their tensile and thermal properties. The tests have shown a remarkable change in mechanical and thermal properties of nylon-6 polymer fibers with the addition of 0.5 wt% F-CNTs and 1.0 wt% of P-CNTs. To draw a comparison between the improvements achieved, the same process has been repeated with neat nylon-6 polymer. As a result, tensile strength has been increased by 230% for PCFs made with 0.5% F-CNTs and 1% P-CNTs as additives. These fibers have been further characterized by DSC, Raman spectroscopy and SEM which confirm the alignment of CNTs and interfacial bonding to nylon-6 polymer matrix.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering, Center for Advanced Materials, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA.
authors.forename: Vijaya K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Rangari
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yousuf
authors.forename: Shaik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeelani
authors.forename: Merlyn X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Pulikkathara
authors.forename: Valery N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Khabashesku