Polyamide 4,6 nanocomposites with and without the use of a maleated polyolefin elastomer as a toughener

In this study, polyamide 4,6 (PA 4,6)-based nanocomposites were successfully prepared using a twin screw extruder. A commercial organo-montmorillonite (denoted as 30B) and a commercial maleated polyolefin elastomer (denoted as POEMA) served as the reinforcing filler and toughener, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirmed the nano-scaled dispersion of 30B in the composites. Nevertheless, the presence of POEMA slightly depreciated the dispersibility of 30B. Polarized light microscope (PLM) observations showed that the inclusions of 30B and POEMA led to the formation of diffused/broken PA 4,6 spherulites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the addition of 30B retarded the crystallization of PA 4,6; the addition of POEMA led to a similar retardation effect on PA 4,6 crystallization. Interesting melting behaviors associated mainly with the crystal annealing of PA 4,6 upon heating were observed for the fast-cooled samples. The presence of POEMA was noted to hamper the annealing process of PA 4,6 crystals. The thermal stability enhancement of PA 4,6 in the presence of 30B was further raised to a higher extent when POEMA was included in the matrix. The rigidity, including the storage/Young's/flexural moduli, of PA 4,6 significantly increased after adding 30B. These properties, however, declined after the additional incorporation of POEMA. The PA 4,6/POEMA/30B nanocomposites basically displayed balanced impact strength between those of the neat PA 4,6 and PA 4,6/POEMA blends.