Anionic nylon 6/TiO2 composite materials: Effects of TiO2 filler on the thermal and mechanical behavior of the composites

Abstract

AbstractThe nylon 6‐based composite materials containing untreated and surface‐treated TiO2 particles with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTEOS), as coupling agent were prepared by in situ anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactam in the presence TiO2 as a filler using the rotational molding technique. The thermal behavior and mechanical properties of the neat nylon 6 and its composites were investigated using various techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), a tensile and flexural test and impact strength. Experimental results revealed that both untreated and surface‐modified TiO2 had distinct influence on the melting temperature (Tm), crystallization temperature (Tc), and degree of crystallinity (αDSC), thermal stability, storage modulus (E′), and loss factor (tan δ), and mechanical properties of nylon 6 matrix. Dynamical mechanical analysis indicated that addition of TiO2 particles into nylon 6 matrix increased both the storage modulus and the glass transition temperature. The corresponding values of nylon 6 composites with modified filler were higher than that of nylon 6 composite with untreated TiO2 particles. Tensile and flexural characteristics of the nylon 6 composites were found to increase while the elongation at break and impact strength with increase in TiO2 concentration relative to neat nylon 6. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers