Surface plasticisation of nylon 6,6 by water

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Abstract
Tribological studies have been carried out on Nylon 6,6 with particular emphasis placed on the examination of the effect of water on this polymer. An examination of the sliding frictional behaviour of Nylon 6,6 against a steel substrate shows that the friction decreases with increasing load, probably due to the formation of thermally softened interfaces in the contact. After exposure of this polymer to water, dramatic changes to the frictional behaviour of the Nylon are observed; the friction increases with increasing load. From the application of the adhesion model of friction it is postulated that the observed changes are caused by extensive plasticisation of the Nylon and, as a consequence, an increase in the contact area. This proposition is confirmed by the reported scratch hardness data. After treatment with water the scratch friction mechanism changes significantly and a notable reduction in the hardness of Nylon is observed.

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