| Summary: | Nylon 6 fabric was subjected to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for different time periods (with a UV power density of 100 W/cm2) to investigate the influence of UV irradiation on the structure and properties of the nylon 6 fabric. The surface morphology, infrared spectra, whiteness, breaking strength, thermal stability, and surface wettability were discussed herein. The results indicate that UV irradiation could cause damage to the structure and properties of the nylon 6 fabric. When the fabric was UV-irradiated for 8 min, the surface roughness of the fiber increased, and adhesion occurred between the fibers. The attenuated total reflection Flourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectra indicate that the UV-irradiated part of the nylon 6 fabric surface was photo-oxidized. After the UV irradiation, the nylon 6 fabric became yellow, and the whiteness decreased. Owing to the fracture of the amide group (-CONH-), the amorphous region of the fiber increased. As a result, the melting point of the nylon 6 fabric decreased from 223.3 °C to 215.6 °C, suggesting a reduction in thermal stability, and the breaking strength decreased from 1 008.0 N to 425.3 N. After the UV irradiation, the surface wettability of the fabric increased. Damages caused to the structure and properties of the nylon 6 fabric would become more serious with further increase in the irradiation time.
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