Compatibilizing effect for improving mechanical properties of polyamide 6/HDPE nanocomposites

This work investigates the effect of compatibilizer and organoclay on the properties of PA6/HDPE blends (PA6/HDPE = 70/30 parts). Virgin, uncompatibilized and compatibilized blends were prepared by melt compounding using twin screw extruder followed by injection moulding. High density polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (HDPE-g-MAH) was used as compatibilizer. Compatibilizer and organoclay loading was varied from 2-8 wt% and 3-7 wt%. The mechanical properties were investigated through tensile, flexural and impact testing. The result revealed that incorporation of 2 wt% of HDPE-gMAH and 5 wt% of organoclay have the best balance of strength, modulus and impact strength of this PA6/HDPE blend. The FTIR result also shows the successful incorporation of montmorillonite clay in PA6/HDPE blend.