Structure and properties of an hybrid system based on bisphenol A polycarbonate modified by A polyamide 6/organoclay nanocomposite

Blends of poly(carbonate of bisphenol A) (PC) with minute amounts of a nanocomposite based in polyamide 6 (PA6) with a layered organoclay (nPA6) were obtained upon melt mixing by varying the contents of both nPA6 and organoclay. The ternary nanocomposites (NC) were composed of a PC-rich matrix with some mixed PA6 present, and by a neat nPA6 dispersed phase. Upon dissolution of the matrix of the NC’s, the dispersed phase showed a highly fibrillar morphology that resembled that of thermoplastic/liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) blends. The cryogenically fractured surfaces observed by SEM showed a very fine particle size that was attributed to the presence of PA6 in the matrix and indicated a low interfacial tension. The Young’s modulus behaviour is proposed to be a consequence of the slight orientation of the PC-rich matrix and the highly fibrillated and oriented nPA6 dispersed phase. The important reinforcement effect of the dispersed phase is attributed to the additive effects of its large degree of orientation, and the reinforcing effect of the organoclay.