Morphology evolution of miscible blends between crystalline PA6 and amorphous PA6IcoT

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The morphology evolution of miscible blends of a semicrystalline polyamide 6 (PA6) and an amorphous polyamide 6Ico6T (PA6IcoT) was investigated using an internal Brabender mixer at a temperature range 220-260 C. Morphology of the blends was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser particle analysis. Temperature rising dissolution was used to separate the different phases of the blends and the phase compositions were determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The particle size evolution of the dispersed phase (PA6) was calculated and agreed well with experimental observation. It was found that the particle size was quickly reduced to nanometer scale after several minutes of processing. A convection-diffusion model was adopted to study the phase evolution during meltmelt mixing stage and compute the dimension of each phase. The results strongly support the notion of existence of distinct phases during blending, whose development can be well described by the model. The dispersed phase is reduced mainly by stretching of flow, while the broadening of the blending phase can be primarily attributed to molecular diffusion. The study also suggests the possibility to prepare novel polymer blends with nanometer sized domain of high uniformity.

Polyphthalamide polymers: A review on synthesis, properties, and advance manufacturing and emerging applications

“…Cao et al explored the morphology of a PA6I/PA6T copolymer with PA6, in a 90:10 ratio. 48 The blend was divided and classified in three by dissolving it in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at two different temperatures, 80 and a 100 C: the fraction insoluble at 100 C (PA6), the fraction dissolved at 80 C (PA6I/PA6T) copolymer and the fraction dissolved between the two temperatures. However, a posterior analysis of the filtrates showed that this division was unsuccessful.…”

Structure and mechanical properties of blends of an amorphous polyamide and an amorphous copolyester

“…Recently, binary and ternary nanocomposites of aPAs, mainly with elastomers, have also been studied. The blends of aPAs with PA6 were miscible while those with PEI and PAE were compatible . However with polyolefins, EVOH 17 and SAN compatibilizers are required to obtain a minimum compatibility.…”

“…These advantages make aPAs commercially attractive and have led to the study of the behavior when blended with many second components. Thus, blends of aPAs with polyesters, PA6, polyolefins, ethylene‐vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), poly(ether imide) (PEI), acrylonitrile‐styrene copolymer (SAN), and poly(amino ether) resin (PAE) have been studied. Recently, binary and ternary nanocomposites of aPAs, mainly with elastomers, have also been studied.…”

Study on Ester–Amide Exchange Reaction between PBS and PA6IcoT

“…In a melt-mixing process, the exchange reactions may occur between condensing polymer molecules. As a result of exchange reactions, portions of the blends can be transformed into multiblock or random copolymers, which can effectively improve the compatibility of polymers. − …”