Clay induced thermoplastic crystals in thermoset matrix: Thermal, Dynamic mechanical, and morphological analysis of clay/nylon‐6‐epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

A novel procedure to synthesize in situ clay/nylon-6 composite suspension was explored via anionic solution polymerization. The suspension was efficiently blended with water-based epoxy resin using mechanical stirrer at room temperature. Hence, a 3-component coating system was obtained consisting of nano-clay, nylon-6 and epoxy resin. Large number of coatings and films were prepared with variation in clay and nylon-6 loading. Concentration of clay was found to have profound effect on crystallinity of nylon-6, thereby affecting the overall properties of clay/nylon/epoxy composite. All the films were characterized for thermal and dynamic mechanical behavior using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Lower amount of clay was found to increase the crystallinity of nylon-6 which in turn increased the plasticization of epoxy resin indicated by reduction in T g . A multiphase morphology with distinct amorphous and crystalline zones was observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A remarkable symmetrical morphology with branched dendritic crystal structure was observed for few of the clay/nylon/ epoxy system. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2206-2217, 2016

Synthesis, characterization and thermal decomposition kinetics of a bio-based transparent nylon 10I/10T

“…Intriguingly, the corresponding peak of tanδ represents the glass transition temperature (T g ) [22,23]. Based on the given results, a notable increase in the T g of nylon 10I/10T with the increase of PTA has been observed, which can be assigned to the improved ability of intermolecular chains to form hydrogen bonds and restricted chain movement.

10.1080/15685551.2018.1543633-F0005Figure 5.DMA curves of nylon 10I and nylon 10I/10T.

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Enhanced mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of clay-based polymer nanocomposite systems

“…They successfully prepared a nylon-clay hybrid (NCH) that possessed improved mechanical and thermal properties -a higher modulus, an enhanced strength and a better heat distortion temperature -over the unfilled nylon. These property enhancements resulted in NCHs being applied to automotive timing belt covers as an engine part [14][15][16][17][18][21][22][23][24][25].…”

Toughening and rapid self‐healing for carbon fiber/epoxy composites based on electrospinning thermoplastic polyamide nanofiber

“…[3,4] Two main methods have been proposed extensively to improve damage resistance by either adding toughening particles or incorporating independent toughening layers in the brittle interlaminar region of FRP. Micro-nano particles, such as thermoplastic polymers, [5] GO, [6] CNT, [7] and nanoclay, [8] can effectively suppress and deflect the propagation of microcrack and delamination and improve the interlaminar fracture toughness of FRP. [9] However, the filler content of 5-20 wt% is necessary, generally leading to a significant reduction in glass transition temperature (T g ) and in-plane mechanical properties (e.g., bend, compression, and interlaminar shear strength).…”