Modification of nylon-6 with semi-or wholly-aromatic polyamides

In this study, flexible Nylon-6 was reinforced by semi-or wholly-aromatic polyamides; poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PmIA), poly(4,4′-diphenylmethane terephthalamide) (PMA), and poly(4,4′-diphenylsulfone terephthalamide) (PSA). Various high molecular weight block copolyamides were synthesized by solution polymerization using p-aminophenylacetic acid (p-APA) as a coupling agent. Their thermal properties have shown that the block copolyamides exhibit higher T_g and T_m, and better thermal stability than those of Nylon-6, especially PmIA modified Nylon-6. The order of their thermal properties of aromatic modified Nylon-6 copolyamides is PmIA > PMA > PSA. Moreover, the T_g and T_m of multiblock copolyamides are higher than those of triblock copolyamides. From the wide-angle X-ray diffraction pattern, it is found that the triblock copolyamides have two diffraction peaks, i.e., 2θ = 20.5° and 24°. However, the multiblock has only one peak at 2θ = 20°, indicating a different crystal structure for multiblock copolyamides. For the mechanical properties, it is found that the multiblock copolyamides have a more significant reinforcing effect than the triblock copolyamides. Also, the order of the physical properties of aromatic modified Nylon-6 copolyamides, such as tensile strength, is PmIA > PMA > PSA, but for the elongation PSA > PMA > PmIA.