Influence of PA6 particle filler on morphology, crystallization behavior and dynamic mechanical properties of poly(ε-caprolactone) as an efficient nucleating agent

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)/polyamide 6 (PA6) composites were fabricated by dispersing PA6 powder into PCL. The SEM results show good dispersion of PA6 in the PCL matrix. Crystallization behavior, crystal structure and spherulitic morphology of pure PCL and the PCL/PA6 composites, as well as their thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties, were characterized using various techniques including differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarized light microscope (PLM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The PCL/PA6 composite showed increased storage modulus and glass transition temperature (T-g). PA6 powder functions as a heterogeneous nucleate to promote PCL crystallization but does not alter orthorhombic crystal form, crystallization mechanism and thermal stability of PCL.