Abstract
The effect of the organoclay content on the toughness of a rubbery modified amorphous polyamide (aPA)/organoclay-based nanocomposite was studied by changing the modifier (maleic anhydride) content. The dispersed rubber particle size decreased markedly with the addition of the modifier, indicating compatibilization of the nanocomposite. However, the particle size of the dispersed phase increased slightly with the organoclay content due to the interactions between the dissolved surfactant and the compatibilizer. Furthermore, we observed that the organoclay resided in the aPA matrix, and that its dispersion remained constant upon rubber addition. This resulted in materials with high stiffness and extremely large toughness values, as measured by both the standard impact strength and the essential work of the fracture method. Because the rubber content was kept constant, the inorganic part of the clay was proposed to be the main parameter that controls toughness.
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Acknowledgements
The financial support of the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (project MAT2010-16171) and of the Basque Government (project IT-234-07) is gratefully acknowledged. The technical support of the Polymer Characterization Service of the University of Basque Country for the TEM and XRD analyses are gratefully acknowledged.
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González, I., Eguiazábal, J. & Nazábal, J. Amorphous polyamide/maleated styrene–ethylene–co-butylene–styrene nanocomposites: effects of clay loading and compatibilizer content on morphology and mechanical properties. Polym J 44, 294–300 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/pj.2011.124
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pj.2011.124
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