The addition of clay on the mechanical properties of surface‐treated CF‐filled PA66 composites

Polyamide 66 (PA66) composites filled with clay and carbon fiber (CF) were prepared by twin‐screw extruder in order to study the influence of nanoparticle reinforcing effect on the mechanical behavior of the PA66 composites (CF/PA66). The mechanical property tests of the composites with and without clay were performed, and the fracture surface morphology was analyzed. The results show that the fracture surface area of the clay‐filled CF/PA66 composite was far smoother than that of the CF/PA66 composite, and there formed a tense interface on the CF surface after the addition of clay. The tensile and flexural strength of CF/PA66 composites with clay was improved. The impact strength decreased because of the high interfacial adhesion. In conclusion, the addition of clay favored the improvement of the higher interface strength and so had good effect on improving the tensile and flexural properties of the composites. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.