Interpretive nonlinear viscoelasticity: Dynamic properties of nylon 6, nylon 66, and nylon 12 fibers

Nonlinear response of nylon 6, nylon 66, and nylon 12 fibers to sinusoidal straining under relatively large strain amplitude is analyzed in terms of the changes in properties during the straining, i.e., the change in modulus, change in internal friction and change in structure which involves energy release or absorption in straining. Modulus generally increases with strain but it decreases with increase of strain amplitude, the effect of strain amplitude being largest with nylon 6 and smallest with nylon 66. Mechanical loss increase with the increase of strain amplitudes in nonlinear manner, and the magnitude of change is largest with nylon 66 and smallest with nylon 6. During the extension phase, structural change occurring in nylon 6 is predominantly an increase in order or orientation while that with nylon 66 is crack opening or cavitation. Various aspects of the experiments and analysis of the data are described in detail.