Preparation of Monomer Casting Nylon-6-b-Polydimethylsiloxane Copolymers with Enhanced Mechanical and Surface Properties

ABSTRACT Nylon-6-b-polydimethylsiloxane copolymer was synthesized with macroinitiator through in situ polymerization. The macroinitiator with two chain-growing centers per molecule is based on hydroxyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) functionalized with diisocyanate. The influence of PDMS contents on the properties of copolymers was studied. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the melting temperature, crystallization temperature and crystal form of samples, and the results showed that the crystallinity of polymers decreased. The mechanical properties of samples were studied by notched-impact testing and tension test. The notched impact strength was improved by 200% with PDMS concentration up to 4 wt%. The form of scaly was seen by scanning electron microscope proved the improvements of the impact strength of the copolymer. The water contact angles test showed that the surface tension of copolymers decreased with the PDMS content increasing and the surface of copolymer changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT