Morphology and structure of nylon‐6 crystallized in epoxy resin matrix

ABSTRACT Nylon‐6/epoxy resin composite with multiphase morphology has been successfully prepared via polymerization of caprolactam in N ‐methylpyrrolidone using N ‐acetyl caprolactam as the initiator. This was followed by reactive blending of appropriate amount of the plastic with epoxy resin. The structure of nylon‐6 prepared by solution polymerization is predominantly α [200, 020] α crystalline form with γ [002] γ crystalline form as the minor phase. Subsequently, nylon‐6/epoxy composite was prepared at 150°C in a Teflon mold. A remarkable heterogeneous morphology of the fractured surface of the film was observed, consisting of multilayered fiber‐like crystals encapsulated in the epoxy resin matrix. Close inspection of the morphology of the composite revealed a preference of nylon‐6 to crystallize in the crevices and cracks created in glassy epoxy matrix during processing. The crystals seem to nucleate spontaneously and grow radially into spherulites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:858–866, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers