Effects of Nanotalc Inclusion on Mechanical, Microstructural, Melt Shear Rheological, and Crystallization Behavior of Polyamide 6-Based Binary and Ternary Nanocomposites

The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of inclusion of nanotalc on the strength properties of polyamide 6 (PA6)-based binary and ternary nanocomposites. Binary nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding of PA6 with varying content of nanotalc (1, 2, and 4 wt%). Ternary nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding of compatibilized blend of PA 6 and ethylene-co-butyl acrylate (EBA elastomer) with varying content of nanotalc (1, 2, and 4 wt%). Both the binary and ternary nanocomposites registered a very high improvement in the strength/stiffness-related properties at lower filler loading of 1 wt%. Phase morphology of the composites studied by SEM, TEM, and XRD revealed the formation of extended brane-like structures and delaminated talc layers in the binary nanocomposites. The modulus predicted by Halpin-Tsai and Mooney equation suggests that the composites retained a very good aspect ratio after melt mixing. Orientation effects of nanotalc enhanced the melt flow behavior in the composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1978-1993, 2010. (C) 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers