The effect of layered silicates on the morphological, rheological and mechanical properties of PA and PP blends

We study rheological, morphological and mechanical properties of polyamide-6 (PA) and polypropylene (PP) blends in the presence of layered silicates (two types of organically modified montmorillonite – Cloisite30B for PA and Cloisite20A for PP). For comparison, we used maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) as a compatibilizer and in all compositions weight ratio of PA and PP was constant 80/20, respectively. Introduction of layered silicates always led to more viscous melt and increased storage modulus. It is also identified that layered silicates cause more finer-dispersed morphology than PP-g-MA. Elastic modulus and yield strength were increased when the layered silicates were introduced in either composites or blends.