The structure and properties of PA6/MMT nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding

Abstract Polyamide 6 (PA6)/organo‐montmorillonite nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding using a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder were intercalated nanocomposites. The modulus, bending strength and heat distortion temperature of these nanocomposites increased with increasing clay content, and tensile strength increased up to 4.3 wt% and then decreased with further increases in montmorillonite content. The notched Izod impact strength decreased slightly with montmorillonite content. Nanocomposites based on the higher‐molecular‐weight PA6 yielded higher moduli, tensile strengths, and heat distortion temperatures at the same montmorillonite content. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:2070–2074, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.