PA66/PA12/clay based nanocomposites: Morphology and physical properties

The structure and the physical properties of several polyamide 66 (PA66)/polyamide 12 (PA12) blends containing different amounts of the two polymers and obtained by melt-blending have been investigated. A low amount of organically-modified layered silicate (OMLS, 4wt%) has also been introduced in order to further improve the physical properties and, in particular, to evaluate its effect on the blends' structure and components' miscibility. The microstructure and morphology of all the composites were analyzed by means of X-Ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the macroscopic scale properties (mechanical behavior and water adsorption) were assessed in order to investigate and understand the materials' structure-properties relationships. The partial miscibility of PA66 and PA12, with phase separation depending on blend composition, has been confirmed. The results also underlined the possibility to tai...