Compatibilization of polypropylene/polyamide 6 blends using new synthetic nanosized talc fillers: Morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties

Abstract

New synthetic nanotalc and a commercially available natural fine talc (Luzenac© A3) were chosen in order to establish a comparative study in terms of their contributions on the improvement of the morphology as well as the final properties of PP/PA6 blends prepared by melt processing. At first, the TEM and SEM micrographs showed that both talc particles have a preferential affinity for the more hydrophilic polyamide 6 phase compared with the continuous PP matrix. Moreover, in both cases, the addition of talc fillers induces a significant decrease of the size of the PA6 domains but the better compatibilization efficiency was obtained in the presence of synthetic nanotalc particles. In this work, the positive change induced by the talc nanofillers on the crystallization kinetics and final morphology was highlighted. In addition, compared with natural talc, a highly level of dispersion of talc layers has been obtained with the synthetic nanotalc which is more hydrophilic. Thus, this better dispersion greatly improves the thermal stability of PP/PA6 blends and leads to better mechanical properties (+ 40% in Young's modulus).