Toughening of polyamide 6 with β-nucleated thermoplastic vulcanizates based on polypropylene/ethylene–propylene–diene rubber grafted with maleic anhydride blends

The toughening of polyamide 6 (PA 6) with β-nucleated thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–propylene–diene rubber grafted with maleic anhydride (EPDM-g-MAH) blends was studied. A series of TPVs without and with different dosage of β-nucleating agent (β-NA) were prepared and used to toughen PA 6 at the same proportion. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) measurements showed that β crystals of PP were effectively induced in the TPVs. The PA 6 blends toughened with β-nucleated TPVs (β-TPVs) exhibit significantly enhanced toughness, balanced mechanical properties and thermal properties compared with PA 6 toughened by TPV without β-NA or only by EPDM-g-MAH. Phase morphologies of the blends characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that better interfacial adhesion caused by the migration of β-NA from PP to PA 6/PP interface and PP/EPDM-g-MAH interface gives rise to more uniform dispersion and smaller size of the dispersed phase; moreover, the core–shell structure comprised of rubber particles enveloped by PP on the surface, brings about easier and stronger interference of the stress field of EPDM phase.

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► We designed and prepared β nucleated thermoplastic vulcanizates.
► We adopted the β nucleated thermoplastic vulcanizates to toughen polyamide 6.
► Greatly improved toughness, balanced mechanical and thermal properties were achieved.
► A toughening mechanism was proposed based on interfacial adhesion and morphologies.