IUPAC GUIDELINE FOR RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF POLYAMIDE MELTS

This investigation is the result of an IUPAC project of the Subcommittee on Structure and Properties of Commercial Polymers. Members of several industrial organizations, universities and institutes cooperated, to make comparative measurements, with the aim to formulate a guideline how to measure the rheological properties of polyamide 6. Most producers of polyamide have their own characterization method to study the rheological properties of polyamide 6. However, the measured rheological properties depend strongly on the sample preparation method, humidity regulation and time-temperature history during the measurement and not at least the kind of rheometer being used. The results of the investigation show the changes in molecular weight during the different kinds of rheological measurements due to hydrolysis and amidisation reactions. A guideline is introduced, which can be used to make comparable rheological measurements on polyamide 6.