Polymer-metal halide interactions

Abstract

Zirconium tatrafluoride forms stable complexes with Nylon 6 and caprotactam entailing the amide moieties. In compositions up to 5% ZiF 4 the crystalline structure of the polyamide appears unaffected by the complexed chain segments formed during melt blending. These segments become upon solidification part of the amorphous regions of the polyamide. This molecular reinforcement results in significant increases in both yield stress and tensile modulus. The polyamide compositions are characterized by increased rates of nucleation and a stable, fine crystalline structure in the solid state.