Polyamide 6 (PA6)/carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) nanocomposites for antistatic application: tailoring mechanical and electrical properties for electronic product protection

Antistatic packaging has gained great importance for protecting sensitive electronic devices against static charges. In this work, polyamide 6 (PA6)/carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) nanocomposites were developed in the molten state, aiming to evaluate the potential for dissipation of static charges. The properties of torque rheometry, melt flow index (MFI), mechanical (impact, tensile, and Shore D hardness), Raman spectroscopy, electrical conductivity, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were investigated. In the Raman spectra of the nanocomposites, the main MWCNT bands were observed at 1347 cm-1 and 1580 cm-1, confirming the distribution in the PA6 matrix. Incorporating 5 phr (parts per hundred resin) of MWCNT into the PA6 matrix promoted better distribution, as verified in the storage module and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, there were gains in elastic modulus, Shore D hardness, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) by 11%, 4.5%, and 12.3%, respectively, in relation to PA6. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated an increase in the crystallization process for all PA6/MWCNT nanocomposites, while an increase of 9.4 degrees C was verified in thermal stability by thermogravimetry for PA6/MWCNT (5 phr). From the point of view of the potential for antistatic application, the PA6/MWCNT (5 phr) nanocomposite presented electrical conductivity in the order of 1.1 x 10-06 S/cm, an adequate value for dissipating static charges. In view of this, the tailor-made PA6/MWCNT (5 phr) nanocomposite has the potential for antistatic protection.