Influence of a cooling rate on a structure of PA6

The structure of the plate specimens obtained from the molten PA6 that was cooled at rates between 2 and 2000 °C/min have been studied. The cooling rate of 2000 °C/min did not ensure a complete amorphization of the specimens. The amorphous phase created by supercooling is unstable and at room temperature undergoes a noticeable cold crystallization. The access of water to the specimen from the surrounding air accelerates this process. Variations in the cooling rate of the melt reflect in rearrangement of the amorphous phase of PA6. Owing to the effect of interaction with the crystalline phase, the amorphous regions undergo changes in molecular weight and MWD of the chain segments between junctions in topological regions, temperatures of the glass transition and β-relaxation, compaction, etc.