Process induced structure formation and mechanical properties of Polyamide 6 (PRIME PA6)

• Applicants: Dr.-Ing. Klara Loos; Dr.-Ing. Anna Katharina Sambale
• Subject Area: Plastics Engineering
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 569973547

The proposed project PRIME PA6 aims to understand the thermomechanical behavior of injection-molded polyamide 6 (PA6) components based on their process-induced microstructure. Since the mechanical properties are largely determined by the locally developed distribution of crystalline phases, particular attention is given to the shear-induced, metastable γ-crystal modification and its solid-state transformation into the stable α-phase. By combining advanced experimental methods with a thermodynamically consistent, microstructure-informed material model, the project systematically investigates the interplay between shear, cooling rate, microstructure, and mechanical response. Model development is based on a phase kinetics framework validated by calorimetric analysis and X-ray scattering techniques, and is extended by mechanical constitutive relations to describe the macroscopic material behavior. The findings will enable both targeted microstructural control and simulation-based prediction of structure–property relationships under varying processing conditions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants