In an effort to isolate the role of nanofiller independent of changes in polymer microstructure, we report the processing and characterization of model amorphous polyamide/clay nanocomposites. Analyses confirm fully amorphous character, no change inTgor thermal stability, and a partially exfoliated structure. The tensile modulus, yield stress, and failure stress increase with the clay content, both in dried and conditioned samples. In contrast, failure strain decreases with increasing clay content in conditioned samples but is independent of clay content in dried samples. Concurrently, the conversion of mechanical work to heat during plastic deformation was studied using infrared thermography, with the heat of deformation estimated based on these results and compared to the work of deformation. These results allow us to quantify changes in deformation mechanism and to conclude that the presence of clay enhances the conversion of mechanical energy to heat in these materials.

We report the production of transparent, amorphous, partially exfoliated polyamide / nanoclay nanocomposites. Stiffness and yield strength increase with nanoclay content, while work-of-fracture remains constant below an inorganic content of 0.25 vol%.