Effect of Halloysite Nanotubes on Thermal and Flame Retardant Properties of Polyamide 6/Melamine Cyanurate Composites

In this study, polyamide 6 (PA6) with various contents of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and melamine cyanurate (MCA) were prepared by a twin-screw extruder. The flame retardant and physical properties of PA6 composites were examined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of PA6/HNTs and PA6/MCA/HNTs composites showed that HNTs as a nanoscale material dispersed in PA6 whether with MCA or not. Thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA) results showed the presence of HNTs can improve thermal stability of PA6 and PA6/MCA composites. The incorporation of HNTs seemed to result the increase of crystallinity of PA6 and PA6/MCA composites from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results. The combined of HNTs and MCA that leads to further improvements limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of PA6 to 31.7% exerted a positive effect on flame retardancy of PA6. What's more, some mechanical enhancements of PA6 with adding of HNTs were achieved and HNTs also made the tensile properties of PA6/MCA composites improved. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:892-896, 2015. (c) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers