Fiber nylon single

Figure 11. Extension analysis of nylon single fibers...

SAE 100R7 and 100R8 thermoplastic hoses. Nylon-covered single-fiber braid (left). 

Note The principal reinforcement, with respect to quantity, is glass fibers, but many other types are used (cotton, rayon, polyester/TP, nylon, aluminum, etc.). Of very limited use because of their cost and processing difficulty are whishers (single crystals of alumina, silicon carbide, copper, or others), which have superior mechanical properties. 

Phenol is both a man-made chemical and produced naturally. It is found in nature in some foods and in human and animal wastes and decomposing organic material. The largest single use of phenol is as an intermediate in the production of phenolic resins. However, it is also used in the production of caprolactam (which is used in the manufacture of nylon 6 and other synthetic fibers) and bisphenol A (which is used in the manufacture of epoxy and other resins). Phenol is also used as a slimicide (a chemical toxic to bacteria and fungi characteristic of aqueous slimes), as a disinfectant, and in medicinal preparations such as over-the-counter treatments for sore throats. Phenol ranks in the top 50 in production volumes for chemicals produced in the United States. Chapters 3 and 4 contain more information. 

Nylons. Figure 11 shows two small, single nylon fiber samples run by TMA. Despite the small size, all the major characteristics could be evaluated the dehydration contraction, the glass transitions, the processing temperatures and the melt. These two similar samples of nylon displayed similar qualitative behavior characteristic of the nylons, and from the temperatures of the transitions it is clear that Nylon 6 and Nylon 6-6 can be easily distinguished by their melting curves using TMA. 

In general two types of secondary coatings are used in conjunction with the primary coatings described above. UV-curable epoxy acrylates or urethane acrylates are commonly used for in-line application, as the fiber is drawn. These same materials are also used extensively as single coatings. Extruded thermoplastics, such as nylon or polyester elastomers, are frequently used for off-line application processes. 

Properties of a specific polymer can often be varied by means of controlling molecular weight, end groups, processing, cross-linking, additives, and so on. Therefore, it is possible to classify a single polymer in more than one category. For example, nylon can be produced as fibers in the crystalline forms, or as plastics in the less crystalline forms. Also, poly(vinyl chloride) and siloxanes can be processed to act as plastics or elastomers. 

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