Investigating the role of PA6/GO interactions on the morphological, rheological, and mechanical properties of PA6/ABS/GO nanocomposites

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study is dedicated to investigate the rheological, mechanical, and morphological properties of polyamide 6/poly (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) (PA6/ABS) blends in the presence of graphene oxide nanoplates (GO). In this regard, scanning electron microscopy analysis, rheological assessments, and mechanical tests were performed. PA6/ABS (65 wt%, 35 wt%) blends were prepared by melt mixing method in the presence of 0.25 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt% GO nanoparticles. Also, to study the effect of mixing protocol on these properties, the mixing sequences varied for the blends containing 0.5 wt% GO. The rheological, mechanical, and morphological analyses demonstrated the formation of significant interaction between PA6 and GO for polymer blends having 0.25 wt% GO. On the other hand, the decrease in the elasticity for the 0.5 wt% GO incorporated polymer blend was attributed to the lubricating role of GO in PA6 as a consequence of weak interactions between PA6 and GO. ABS/GO pre-mixed blend showed good interfacial adhesion between PA6 and ABS as a result of kinetic influence of GO for interfacial localization in PA6/ABS polymer blends. Furthermore, PA6/GO pre-mixing protocol demonstrated the highest elasticity for PA6/ABS blend due to the PA6/GO adhesion reinforcement.