| Abstract: | The physical properties of nylon 6 yarn treated with dimethyldichlorosilane (DMCS) and vinylmethyldichlorosilane (VMCS) in nitrogen atmosphere or air in the presence and absence of an amine have been compared with those of ether-extracted parent yarn. Treatment with DMCS in nitrogen resulted in marginal improvement in breaking stress, considerable increase in breaking elongation, and elastic behavior, whereas initial modulus was decreased. A decrease in density, birefringence, and moisture regain with increase in per cent weight gain was observed. Mechanical damping was decreased considerably up to an optimum weight gain after which it was increased. Thermal properties were also determined, and results are discussed in relation to mechanical properties. The results indicate that the overall thermal stability has decreased in the chemically treated yarns. Treatment with organochlorosilanes in the presence of air results in a chain-scission reaction and a decrease in mechanical properties. |
