Nylon 612/TiO2 composites by anionic copolymerization-molding process: Comparative evaluation of thermal and mechanical performance

Abstract

This study describes the changes in some properties of two series of nylon 612/TiO2 composites by varying filler type (untreated and treated) and content (up 8.0 wt.%). The samples preparation by simultaneous anionic copolymerization-molding process ensures a good dispersion of the filler in matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetrical analysis, static mechanical testing, dynamic mechanical analysis and scanning electron microscopy allowed to investigate the effects of filler loading on the mechanical, thermal and morphological characteristics of the samples and revealed the importance of filler treatment on the composites behaviour. The semicrystalline character has been proved by differential scanning calorimetry (only a single melting peak is present) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (two reflexion plane with d-spacing of 0.4311 and 0.3817 nm appear). At the same filler content, the difference ΔHm1–ΔHc was higher for the samples with treated filler. The lower Tm,α(2) in comparison with Tm,α(1) revealed a modification of the nucleation process during crystallization. The main mass loss of the samples occurred between 277 and 550℃. The addition of the filler leads to the improvement of flexural strength and flexural modulus in comparison with neat copolymer. Incorporating 8.0 wt.% treated filler, the Tg value increases by about 11.0%, reaching 61.0℃.