the polymer have amine and carboxyl end groups from the Surface energy of nylon 66 fibers is of considerable importance in constituent monomers. The relative number of either end group the conversion of these fibers into consumer products such as tirecord, can be controlled by proper termination of the growing chain carpets, and various composite materials in combination with other with a monofunctional acid or base. The dyeability of nylon 66 polymers. Adhesion of nylon 66 fibers to rubber or the coupling agent fibers with acid dyes can be controlled by the amine end group in tirecord, or to the fluoropolymer used as a soil resist finish in carpets, concentration in the fiber polymer. Generally, the amine end depends on the surface energy of these fibers. If produced undrawn, group content in textile fibers is in the range of 20-80 mmol/ nylon 66 fibers can be drawn later, up to 81, to attain desirable fiber g. The viscosity average molecular weight of the fiber-forming properties. Since hydrogen bonds rearrange during drawing it would be of interest to see if these changes also result in changes in surface polymer is in the range of Γ15,000.
energy. An attempt has been made to understand this aspect in this
Surface energy of nylon fibers arises from the functional article. We have determined the dispersion and the acid-base (donorgroups in the fiber surface. Methylene ( CH 2 ) groups conacceptor) components of the surface energy of nylon 66 fibers by tribute the dispersion component, and amine, carboxyl, wettability measurements in appropriate probe liquids using the Wiland amide ( -NH 2 , -COOH, -CONH-) groups contribute helmy principle, as well as by inverse gas chromatography (IGC), the acid -base ( donor -acceptor ) component of the surface where interactions between the fiber surface and the probe molecules energy. These functional groups play an important role are studied in a chromatography column in which fibers form the in the technological applications of these fibers. Surface stationary phase. By suitable data treatment these chromatograms could be converted to adsorption isotherms. The probe molecules were energy of these fibers plays an important role in the adhereasonably well matched to give comparable values by the two methsion of functional finishes as in the case of tirecord or soil ods. Adsorption of site-specific fluorescent dyes showed increases in release finishes in the case of carpet fibers. Interfacial acid and basic surface groups by microfluorometry on drawn fibers. adhesion between these fibers and other thermoplastic ma-The density of the surface groups depended on the drawing environtrix polymers is vital in the strength and durability of the ment, especially the one involving liquid water. The apparent discrepcomposites formed from these materials.
ancy between microfluorometry results and the surface energy by wet-
In order to attain desirable fiber properties synthetic tability measurements resolved itself when the surface energy compofibers have to be drawn subsequent to spinning. This nents were calculated by assuming that the entire work of adhesion causes considerable reorganization of molecular structure results from hydrogen bonding interactions only, in solids with functional groups capable of forming strong hydrogen bonds, such as ny-in the bulk of the filament. Very little work has been done lons, as suggested by Gutowski.