Influence of organic modifier characteristic on the mechanical properties of polyamide 6/organosepiolite nanocomposites

Polyamide 6 nanocomposites based on sepiolite needle-like clay were prepared via melt extrusion. The organic modifier nature effect (chemical structure and size) and the amount of nanofiller on the mechanical properties of the PA6/organo-sepiolite nanocomposites have been studied. Sepiolites were organo-modified with three different modifiers: dimethyl benzyl hydrogenated tallow quaternary ammonium (B2MTH), trimethyl hydrogenated tallow quaternary ammonium (3MTH) and N-Hydrogenated tallow-1,3-diaminopropane (DIAMIN T). The presence of organomodified sepiolite on the polymer matrix favoured the γ-phase of PA6. The best dispersion of sepiolite in the PA6 matrix was attained by using the smaller organomodifier. At higher nanofiller contents, the interaction between sepiolite and polymer matrix was favoured by the most linear organomodifier and the presence of amine groups (–NH2). In this case, thermomechanical properties of the nanocomposite leads to better properties when compared with the polymer matrix, i.e., increases in Elastic modulus and Head Deflection Temperature of 180% and 190% respectively were attained.