Influence of nanoclay modification on the mechanical, thermo-mechanical and morphological properties of polyamide 6/Acrylonitrile-EPDM-Styrene blend-based nanocomposites

The effect of clay organophilization on mechanical, morphological and thermo-mechanical behavior of polyamide-6/acrylonitrile-EPDM (ethylene/propylene/diene elastomer)-styrene blends was studied. Three nanoclays were used for the preparation of nanocomposites: two commercial organically modified montmorillonites (Cloisite^®30B and Cloisite^® 20A) and an unmodified sodium montmorillonite (Cloisite^®Na⁺). We used wide angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy and mechanical tests to evaluate the effect of clay modification on the morphology and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. The thermo-mechanical properties were characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis and heat distortion temperature (HDT). The results show that the modification of clay affected simultaneously the degree of PA6 matrix reinforcement, dispersion of the clay lamellas in the blend and size of the dispersed phase AES. The incorporation of different nanoclays increase the elastic modulus of all the ternary nanocomposites compared to the neat blend. An increase in the toughness is obtained only for systems with Cloisite^®Na⁺. A significant increment in the storages modulus and HDT was observed by the incorporation of Cloisite^®30B in the PA6/AES blends.

organophilization; nanocomposites; blends; nanoclays