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Hybrid Polyamide/Silica Nanocomposites: Synthesis and Mechanical Testing
Author(s) -
van Zyl Werner E.,
García Monserrat,
Schrauwen Bernard A. G.,
Kooi Bart J.,
De Hosson Jeff Th. M.,
Verweij Henk
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/1439-2054(20020201)287:2<106::aid-mame106>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - materials science , crystallinity , nanocomposite , polyamide , composite number , composite material , nylon 6 , phase (matter) , toughness , modulus , dynamic mechanical analysis , nylon 66 , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry
A hybrid inorganic‐polymer composite was formed through nanosize silica filler particles (< 30 nm) that were incorporated inside a nylon‐6 matrix. The composite was microtomed and examined with TEM which revealed that the silica particles were well dispersed and non‐aggregated. Optimization of the synthesis conditions relied on appropriate choice of organic solvent and pH control. Crystallinity of the composite was examined with XRD and showed the silica phase remains amorphous while the polyamide phase was semi‐crystalline. Compared to pure nylon‐6, mechanical tests on the hybrid composite showed an increase in impact toughness, an increase in E‐modulus as a function of filler percentage, and a strain‐at‐break of > 0.5.