Development and characterization of single polymer composites prepared by compression molding of polyamide 6 empty microcapsules and novel woven textile structures

Abstract In the present study, novel polyamide 6 based woven single polymer composites (WSPC) were developed by powder-coating of woven textile structures with polyamide 6 empty microcapsules (EMC) and subsequent compression molding. To synthesize EMC, activated anionic ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactam by solution/precipitation was applied. Stitched plain fabrics that are promising novel class of woven fabrics and two conventional woven patterns (plain and satin-5 harness) were used as textile reinforcements. The thermal and mechanical properties of all composites were characterized and related to the reinforcements´ morphology, fiber volume fraction and ply orientation. For better understanding of the bonding state at the matrix-fiber interface, stereo-optical microscopy and SEM image analysis by image processing were performed. The data obtained confirmed the existence of a transcrystalline layer (TCL) in the interface region. The mechanical behavior of the composites was related also to the PA6 polymorph content of the samples and their crystallinity indexes determined by wide-angle X-ray diffraction experiments.