Investigation on the multiwalled carbon nanotubes reinforced polyamide 6/polypropylene composites

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) reinforced polyamide 6/polypropylene (PA6/PP = 70/30) composites were prepared by melt compounding. Maleated polypropylene (MPP) was used as a compatibilizer for the composites. The morphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability, rheological properties and crystallization behavior of the composites were investigated. It was found that the addition of MWNTs to PA6/PP blend resulted in decrease in the size of the dispersed particles. Most of MWNTs were selectively dispersed in the PA6 phase and a small amount of MWNTs were located in the interphase between PA6 matrix and PP phase as characterized by scanning electric microscopy. The strength and stiffness of the PA6/PP blend were greatly improved by the addition of MWNTs. The MPP and MWNTs had a synergistic effect on the improvement ofthe thermal stability. In addition, the complex viscosity, storage modulus and loss modulus of the composites increased with the addition of MWNTs or MPP. MWNTs could induce the formation of α crystalline form of PA6. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers