Effect of water absorption on the plastic deformation behavior of nylon 6

• Published in: European polymer journal Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 757 - 762
• Main Authors: Miri, V., Persyn, O., Lefebvre, J.-M., Seguela, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Humidity; Mechanical properties; Nylon 6; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Plastic deformation; Polyamide 6; Properties and characterization; Tensile yielding; Nylon 6; Polyamide 6; Plastic deformation; Tensile yielding; Humidity; Amide 6 polymer; Tensile stress; Humidity effect; Stress strain relation; Moisture regain; Mechanical properties; Experimental study
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2008.12.008

The tensile behavior of nylon 6 films has been investigated in relation to water content. Modification of chain mobility in the amorphous phase via water plasticization appears to have a determining impact on the stress–strain response. More specifically, both yield stress value and hardening behavior over a large strain domain are strikingly equivalent for samples drawn at same Δ T between draw temperature T d and main amorphous relaxation temperature T α. This apparent lack of thermal activation of crystal plasticity in the fibrillar transformation suggests that crystal block fragmentation proceeds via H-bond unzipping through water penetration at defective crystal interfaces.