Effects of processing parameters on material properties of mechanically processed polyamide

A semicrystalline polyamide polymer was processed using a new technique known as mechanical alloying. The material processed by this technique was first introduced into a high‐energy ball mill and ground over long periods of time, resulting in the production of extremely fine powders. These powders were subsequently consolidated well below the materials' melting‐point temperature. The effect of processing parameters including mechanical milling time, consolidation temperature, and the length of consolidation time were studied fairly extensively. The investigation shows that polyamide powders are continually refined with increasing mechanical milling time and the resulting materials have improved mechanical properties. The influence of both consolidation temperature and the length of consolidation time on material properties indicate that materials with higher density, crystallinity, hardness, strength, and ductility are produced when consolidated using higher temperatures and longer times. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.