Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)/Polyamide 6 (PA6) Nanocomposites Prepared via Melt Mixing

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)/polyamide 6 (PA6) blends containing various amounts of organomontmorillonite (OMMT) were prepared using a twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. The effect of OMMT on the microstructure and properties of the ternary nanocomposites is investigated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical properties testing. The results showed the OMMT platelets were preferentially located and exfoliated in the PA6 phase, but some were located at the interface of the ABS and PA6 phase. The effect of the addition of the OMMT on the morphology and mechanical properties was also evaluated. SEM revealed that the dimensions of the dispersed PA6 droplets were greatly reduced when the concentration of the OMMT was less than 4 phr. The domain size was less than the neat ABS/PA6 blends with the increasing of the OMMT content. It was suggested that the OMMT can compatibilize the ABS/PA6 blend. In addition, the flexural strength and modulus increased with increasing OMMT content, but the tensile strength became maximal at 3 phr OMMT. The OMMT had a negligible effect on the impact strength of the ABS/PA6 blend nanocomposite.