Crystallization kinetics of nylon 6

Abstract

We have studied the nonisothermal crystallization of nylon 6 polymers using a differential scanning calorimetry technique. Our nylon 6 samples had molecular weights in the range of 11,000 - 43,000 g/mol (weight average) and polydispersities (Mw/Mn) of 1.8-3.0. We evaluated the effects of molecular weight, polydispersity, and moisture content of nylon 6 on the kinetic crystallizability Gc. Because Gc was sensitive to these variables, we concluded that it is an important parameter for understanding the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics involved in the solidification of the polymer melt, which takes place in the polymer processing.