Reactive polytetrafluoroethylene/polyamide 6 compounds. II. Study of the reactivity with respect to the functionality of the polytetrafluoroethylene component and analysis of the notched impact strength of the polytetrafluoroethylene/polyamide 6 compounds

The formation of block copolymers as a result of an in situ chemical reaction during the reactive extrusion of electron‐beam‐irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyamide 6 (PA) was detected indirectly with differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared. As expected, the content of the block copolymers in the compound increased as the irradiation dose was increased. The notched impact strength showed an increase in the PTFE/PA compounds produced with highly irradiated PTFE. This behavior is discussed in the context of the degree of dispersion of the PTFE phase (as reported in part I of this series) and the adhesion changed by the in situ reaction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1317–1324, 2005