Effect of organic modification of sepiolite for PA6 polymer/organoclay nanocomposites

David García-López (1) , José Francisco Fernández (2) , Juan Carlos Merino (1, 3) , Julio Santarén , José María Pastor (1, 3)

1 Center for Automotive Research and Development (CIDAUT)
2 Electroceramic Department
3 Dpto. Física de la Materia Condensada

Polyamide 6 nanocomposites based on sepiolite needle-like clay were prepared via melt extrusion. Sepiolite was organomodified with trimethyl hydrogenated tallow quaternary ammonium (3MTH) by using different amounts of modifier respect to the sepiolite. The effect of modifier/sepiolite ratio on the final nanocomposite properties and the catalytic effect of the sepiolite on the polymeric matrix were evaluated. The presence of organomodified sepiolite on the polymer matrix favoured the crystallinity of the PA6. The catalytic effect of the sepiolite was reduced as the modifier amount increased. The Elastic modulus and Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) in PA6/organosepiolite nanocomposites increased ∼2.5 times respect to the neat PA6 matrix. The higher the modification grade the better the dispersion and orientation of needle-like sepiolite clay were attained. This effect supported the reinforcement efficiency of organosepiolites with high modifier content.

Mots clés: Nanocomposite (A); Nanoclay (A); Thermomechanical properties (B); Extrusion (E)

David García-López, José Francisco Fernández, Juan Carlos Merino, Julio Santarén, José María Pastor. Effect of organic modification of sepiolite for PA6 polymer/organoclay nanocomposites. Composites Science and Technology, 2010, 70 (10), pp.1429. ⟨10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.05.020⟩. ⟨hal-00657648⟩