Microbeam WAXD Study of Orientated Crystalline Arrays in Carbon Fiber/CNT – Nylon 66 Extruded/drawn Composites

Abstract

Composites of chopped carbon fibers (CCF) or carbon nanotubes (CNT) with nylon 66 were prepared by melt‐mixing followed by extrusion/drawing of filaments. The combined effect of composition and flow on morphology and crystalline orientation was studied by microbeam synchrotron x‐ray diffraction. The highest degree of orientation was observed in filaments of CNT‐nylon 66 at the highest draw ratio. Mechanical tensile testing showed that for 1 wt.% of CCF or CNT the modulus of the composite filaments was improved by 15% and 30%, respectively, compared with neat nylon 66. The results indicate that the alignment of CNT‐crystalline domains in the flow direction generate a strong reinforcing effect.