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Masterbatch production of polyamide 6‐clay compounds via continuous in situ polymerization from caprolactam and layered silicates
Author(s) -
Rothe Bernd,
Kluenker Eike,
Michaeli Walter
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.34517
Subject(s) - masterbatch , materials science , compounding , polyamide , caprolactam , in situ polymerization , polymer , montmorillonite , monomer , polymerization , silicate , composite material , polymer chemistry , nanocomposite , chemical engineering , engineering
Mechanical properties of thermoplastic polymers can be improved by incorporation of nanoscaled layered silicates. To achieve a significant improvement, the silicates have to be well exfoliated within the polymer matrix. However, it is not always possible to produce exfoliated nanocompounds with the standard procedure of melt compounding. As an alternative to melt compounding, an in situ process for the production of polyamide 6‐nanocompounds is investigated. During the in situ production, the layered silicates are dispersed in the monomer caprolactam prior to the step of polymerization in a twin‐screw extruder, leading to an intercalation of the silicate filler. The production of a polyamide compound containing 0, 2, and 4 wt % nanoscaled silicates was successful. Young's modulus was increased by ∼ 30–60%. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011