Preparation of nanocomposites based on PP and PA6 by direct injection molding

Nanocomposites based on polyamide 6 (PA6) and polypropylene (PP) have been prepared by melt compounding the above polymer matrices with two montmorillonite(MMT)‐type commercial organoclays which, from previous studies of ours and from some results reported in literature, resulted to be the most proper layered silicates to be dispersed in PP and PA6, respectively. The preparation of nanocomposites has followed two different approaches. In the first, melt blending was carried out by twin screw extrusion whereas, direct injection molding was used in the second method. X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) characterizations have evidenced that independently of the preparation approach, nanostructured material were obtained, which are intercalated in the case of PP and exfoliated in that of PA6. Also mechanical properties have demonstrated that nanocomposites prepared by applying the two methods were characterized by similar features. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of direct injection molding in the preparation of nanocomposites, whose features are similar to those prepared by compounding. Indeed, the elongational deformation, applied in the former technique, might favor the clay dispersion in the polymer matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers