In this work polymer/clay nanocomposites from blends with PA6 matrix were developed. Torque rheometry was used to evaluate the reactivity of different copolymers with PA6 and their influence on the PA6/clay system. The nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), mechanical properties and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Torque rheometry analysis showed that the PEgAA copolymer exhibited the highest reactivity with PA6 while the EG copolymer showed better interaction with the PA6/Clay system. XRD results indicated that PA6/CL20A system presented intercalated structure, while PA6/EG/CL20A systems presented a partially exfoliated structure. XRD and DSC analyses indicated that PA6/EG/CL20A system where the clay was pre-intercalated in PA6, the clay was located in the PA6 phase while in the system where the clay was pre-intercalated in the EG copolymer, the clay was located in the EG phase. The PA6/EG/CL20A system where the clay was pre-intercalated into PA6 presented balanced modulus and impact strength properties when compared to PA6. SEM tests showed that the clay is well dispersed in the PA6/CL20A and PA6/EG/CL20A systems.
Polyamide 6; polymer blends; nanocomposites
