Effect of clay addition on the morphology and thermal behavior of polyamide 6 |
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Authors: | Ting‐Cheng Li Jianhua Ma Min Wang Wuiwui Chauhari Tjiu Tianxi Liu Wei Huang |
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Affiliation: | 1. Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers of Chinese Ministry of Education, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China;2. Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China;3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Chengde Petroleum College, Chengde 067000, People's Republic of China;4. Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, 3 Research Link, Singapore 117602 |
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Abstract: | The nanostructure, morphology, and thermal properties of polyamide 6 (PA6)/clay nanocomposites were studied with X‐ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and TEM results indicate that the nanoclay platelets were exfoliated throughout the PA6 matrix. The crystallization behavior of PA6 was significantly influenced by the addition of clay to the polymer matrix. A clay‐induced crystal transformation from the α phase to the γ phase for PA6 was confirmed by WAXD and DSC; that is, the formation of γ‐form crystals was strongly enhanced by the presence of clay. With various clay concentrations, the degree of crystallinity and crystalline morphology (e.g., spherulite size, lamellar thickness, and long period) of PA6 and the nanocomposites changed dramatically, as evidenced by TEM and small‐angle X‐ray scattering results. The thermal behavior of the nanocomposites was investigated with DSC and compared with that of neat PA6. The possible origins of a new clay‐induced endothermic peak at high temperature are discussed, and a model is proposed to explain the complex melting behavior of the PA6/clay nanocomposites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1191–1199, 2007 |
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Keywords: | clay morphology nanocomposites polyamides thermal properties |
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