Mechanical, Thermal and Viscoelastic Behavior of Nylon 6/Clay Nanocomposites with Cotreated Montmorillonites

Abstract

Nylon 6 nanocomposites were prepared using melt intercalation technique. Sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) was modified with octadecyl ammonium salt to evaluate the effect of clay modification on the performance of the nanocomposites. A comparative account with the nanocomposites prepared, using commercial clay cloisite 30B has been presented. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies indicated an increase in the basal spacing of organically modified clays. Further, X-ray diffractograms of the nanocomposites displayed the absence of basal reflections suggesting the formation of an exfoliated structure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations also confirmed exfoliation of clay galleries in the nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements revealed both c and a transitions in the matrix polymer as well as the nanocomposites. The crystallization temperature (T c ) exhibited a marginal increase in the C30B/Nylon 6 nanocomposites. Thermal stability of virgin Nylon 6 and the nanocomposites has been investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. Mechanical test revealed an increase in the tensile and flexural properties of Nylon 6 with the incorporation of nanoclays. Storage and loss modulus of virgin matrix increased with the incorporation of nanoclays. C30B/Nylon 6 nanocomposites exhibited optimum performance at 5% clay loading. Further, water absorption studies also confirmed comparatively lesser tendency of water uptake in these nanocomposites.

Mechanical and Barrier Properties Enhancement in Film Extruded Bio‐Polyamides With Modified Nanoclay

“…It is well established that the structure of the crystalline and amorphous phases strongly influences the mechanical properties of the films as well as the presence of a filler . Furthermore, the chain orientation, due to the film stretching during the calendering, generates anisotropic material that could be evaluated from the mechanical data.…”

“…The same bio‐PAs have been blended with a modified clay (Cloisite 30B) since clays have been proven to improve the mechanical and barrier performance of fossil based PAs . Furthermore, during the cast film extrusion process, these nanoplatelets could be oriented in the flow direction and subsequently further enhance their properties .…”

A critical review on the manufacturing processes in relation to the properties of nanoclay/polymer composites

“…Numerous studies on nanocomposites noted in the literature conducted the structure formation and interfacial interactions in nanocomposites, 49,[52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62] rheological and morphological, 44,52,60,[63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81] mechanical and thermal properties. 47,59,74,[82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95]…”

Flame-retardant Polypropylene Composites based on Magnesium Hydroxide Modified by Phosphorous-containing Polymers

“…The above are ascribed to the size of MH particles [27] and their well dispersions in PP matrix [23,28], as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the particle size and dispersion of MH are improved as the quantity of phosphonic acid group and modifier increased. Moreover, the small holes (shown in Figure 6, white regions, actually filled with PP) among the MH particles and the physical crosslinking centers formed by the coiling of long modifier chains with PP will retard the segmental motion of PP chains and prevent the melted PP from moving out, which result in higher thermal stabilities [28][29][30].…”