Polyamide 6-clay nanocompositles/polypropylene-grafted-maleic anhydride alloys

Polyamide 6-clay nanocomposites (PA6CN) based on montmorillonite typically show some brittleness with clay addition. In order to address this problem, PA6CN/PP-g-MAH alloys were prepared through blending PA6CN with polypropyl ene-grafted-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH). The mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical temperature spectra, morphology and water absorption of the all oys were studied. Compared with PA6CN, the notched impact strength of the a lloys increased greatly while the alloys still maintained higher stiffness and strength than that of PA 6. The morphological studies via scanning elec tron microscopy (SEM) showed a PP-g-MAH toughen phase dispersed in PA6CN ma trix. As the PP-g-MAH content was increased, reduced water absorption was o bserved. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.