Investigation on the polyamide 6/organoclay nanocomposites with or without a maleated polyolefin elastomer as a toughener

Polyamide 6 (PA 6)-based nanocomposites were prepared using a melt-mixing technique in this study. One commercial organoclay (denoted 30B) and one maleated polyolefin elastomer (denoted POEMA) served as the reinforcing filler and toughener, respectively. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirmed the nano-scaled dispersion of 30B in the composites. Different mixing sequences presented similar phase morphology for the same formulated nanocomposites. XRD results also revealed that both 30B and POEMA would induce the formation of γ form PA 6 crystal, with 30B exhibiting a higher efficiency. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the addition of 30B altered the crystallization kinetics of PA 6, which was mainly attributed to the prevailing formation of γ form crystal. Complex melting behaviors were observed for neat PA 6 and the nanocomposites. These complex behaviors are associated with different polymorphs and the 'melting-recrystallization-remelting' phenomenon. Moderate thermal stability enhancement of PA 6 after adding 30B and/or POEMA was confirmed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The storage modulus, Young's modulus and tensile strength of PA 6 were increased after adding 30B. However, these properties declined after further incorporation of POEMA. The different-processed PA 6/30B/POEMA nanocomposites displayed balanced tensile properties and toughness between those of neat PA 6 and PA 6/30B nanocomposite.