Thermal and anti-dripping properties of γ-irradiated PA6 fiber with the presence of sensitizers

PA6 fiber with the presence of sensitizers trimethallyl isocyanurate (TMAIC) and trimethylolpropane trimethylacrylate (TMPTMA) has been prepared using the melt spinning method and then irradiated by gamma-rays. Radiation-induced crosslinking was efficiently promoted by sensitizers revealed by the increase in percentage of gel content. Owing to the formation of three-dimensional network, the melt viscosity of PA6 fiber became higher at time of burning and the amount of non-volatile residue at 600 degrees C increased which contributed to the improvement of anti-dripping performance. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed that the onset temperature of degradation of PA6 fiber fell and the rate of maximum mass loss decreased after irradiation. (c) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.