Thermal degradation kinetics of nylon6/GF/crysnano nanoclay nanocomposites by TGA

Abstract

Nylon 6 is extensively used in engineering application because of its unique characteristics such as low price, low viscosity, high toughness, shelf lubricating behaviour and high chemical resistance. The nanocomposites based on PA-6 were prepared by melt extrusion and an adjacent injection moulding process. Mechanical and thermomechanical properties have been investigated by tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analysis. To evaluate the potential of crysnano nanoclays as a new candidate in the class of nanofillers, the properties of the crysnano nanoclays nanocomposites has been compared to those of glass fiber. Thermal characteristics were performed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). As increase in filler loading the enthalpy of melting (?Hm) obtained from DSC curves was reduced as compared to pristine nylon 6. All the nanocompsoites were stable upto 205?C. Degradation kinetic parameters have been calculated for thermal degradation processes using the composites using three mathematical models namely, Horowitz-Metzger, Coats-Redfern and Broido?s methods.