Cellulose-copolyamide 6,69 blends

Abstract

In a previous work [J. Polym. Sci. Polym. Phys., 32, 1437 (1994)], a technique for the preparation of cellulose-polyamide 66 (PA66) blends was proposed. It was shown that the crystallization of PA66 is responsible for the phase separation and, furthermore, for the morphology of the domains in the blends. For this reason, the use of a quasi-amorphous polyamide, i.e., a random copolymer of units 6 and 69, instead of PA66, is now investigated. Cellulose-polyamide 669 (PA669) blends were prepared by a solution-precipitation process. A mixture of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide and phenol (80/20 wt/wt) was used as a common solvent. Materials were precipitated whether in methanol or in water. The fibers obtained were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical spectroscopy, and tensile tests. It is shown that the morphology of these blends depends on the precipitation system and is a function of the different steps of processing of the blends.