Study on the Properties of Melamine Cyanurate Modified Polyamide 6 Nanocomposites with Different Dimensional Siliciferous Particles

Abstract

Different dimensional siliciferous particles including silica (0D), halloysite nanotubes (HNTs,1D) and montmorillonite (MMT,2D) were melt blending with certain amount of melamine cyanurate and polyamide 6(PA6) by a twin-screw extruder. Characterization of the PA6 composites has been investigated using scan electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), universal testing machine and limiting oxygen index instrument. SEM images indicate that the nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in the PA6 but there was some aggregation of MCA in the composites. The incorporation of silica exerted a negative effect on the flame retardancy of PA6/MCA composite, whereas adding HNTs and MMT lead to the improvements of LOI value of 30.4 and 30.9 respectively. TGA results show that PA6/MCA/silica, PA6/MCA/HNTs and PA6/MCA/OMMT exhibit two degradation stages. Higher Tmax1 and Tmax2 appeared comparing with PA6/MCA. Char residue of PA6/MCA/OMMT at 600°C were elevated most. HNTs and OMMT can increase the tensile strength and elongation of PA6/MCA by universal testing machine results, even higher than pure PA6, showing enhanced effects of these 1D and 2D fillers. These could enhance strength of the char and finally increase the flame retardancy of PA6.