CHAIN FOLDING AND STRUCTURE OF NYLON-6.6 SPHERULITES

Following the assignment of the 1329 and 1224 cm−1 infrared bands to chain-folded conformations in nylon 6.6 by Koenig et al. examination of the infrared spectra of positively birefringent and negatively birefringent spherulitic films has been made. The spectra indicate extensive regular folding in negative spherulites but fewer folds or less regular folding in the positive spherulite structure. The assignment of the infrared fold bands to modes of vibration of the repeat unit is discussed with reference to the spectra of films with varying extents of N deuteration (normal 6.6, disordered regions deuterated, N deutero 6.6, disordered regions hydrogenated). Electron micrographs of negative spherulites are analyzed with the infrared and previous evidence. We suggest they are built up of single-crystal lamellae of 0.2 to 0.3 μ lateral dimensions packed with a preferential orientation of the lamellae planes parallel to the radial direction but otherwise randomly oriented. Copyright © 1969 by Marcel Dekker, Inc.