Reactive compatibilization of polyamide 6/polyethylene nonwoven based thermoplastic composites

• The issue of the poor adhesion between PA6 and PE in composites were addressed.
• A novel approach for the compatibilization of PA6/PE composites was introduced.
• Effects of various parameters on compatibilization efficiency were studied.
• The best performing compatibilizer and optimum concentration were determined.
• The interface and mechanical performance of composites were greatly improved.

The interface of polyamide 6/polyethylene (PA6/PE) was altered with compatibilizers in an effort to promote adhesion between PA6 reinforcement and PE matrix in nonwoven based thermoplastic composites. The compatibilizers chosen were triblock copolymer of styrene and ethylene/butylene (SEBS) and maleic anhydride (MA) functionalized SEBS with 1 wt% (SEBS-g-MA1) and 2 wt% (SEBS-g-MA2) MA contents. The interfacial adhesion in PA6/PE + Compatibilizer laminates was characterized using asymmetric double cantilever beam (ADCB) test. The effects of compatibilizer type, functional group content and concentration on the interfacial fracture toughness were determined. Also, the influence of lamination temperature and time on the interface enhancement was studied. After performing the compatibilization at composite fabrication stage, tensile responses of PA6/PE composites were greatly improved in the presence of functional compatibilizers. The best improvement on the overall tensile properties was achieved with SEBS-g-MA2 at the lowest compatibilizer concentration level of 2 wt%. The examination of fractured surfaces showed the clear evidence of the enhanced adhesion of matrix polymer to reinforcement fiber for the composites including SEBS-g-MA1 and SEBS-g-MA2. These results suggest that reactive compatibilization was achieved during composite fabrication stage and improved the adhesion between PA6 and PE resulting in a higher load transfer and better mechanical properties.

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