The Morphology during Extrusion of PA6/PP Blends in the Presence of Nanoclays

The present study investigates the morphology of polyamide (PA6) and polypropylene (PP) blends in the presence of an organoclay during extrusion. Physical PA6/PP blends and blends of PA6/PP and PP modified with maleic anhydride, both filled with a montmorillonite (MMT) modified alkyl ammonium organoclay, were prepared in a modular co-rotating twin screw extruder. Samples were collected along the extruder and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), oscillatory rheology, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively). Intercalation and some degree of clay exfoliation seem to have been achieved. Generally, the presence of the organoclay yields a finer dispersed phase along the extruder.