(161c) Nanoparticle Dispersion and Orientation within Nylon6 Polymer Matrix

In this research, Organically
Modified Montmorillonite (OMMT) and Multiwall Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) were
dispersed and oriented within Nylon6 utilizing a new processing technique to
create thin film nano-materials. Nylon6 nanocomposites containing 1wt% to 10wt%
of different fillers (OMMT or -MWCNT) were pre-processed by melt-compounded in
a twin screw extruder. The obtained randomly oriented polymer nanocomposites
from the twin screw extruder were post-processed through a shearing cylinder
die mounted on HAAKE Polylab single screw extruder to form thin film
nanocomposite sheets with good dispersion and orientation. Mechanical
properties of the Nylon6 nanocomposites were studied through tensile and
flexural tests. The rheological behavior of the nanocomposites was determined
by capillary and rotational rheological measurements. X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used characterize the
dispersion, exfoliation and orientation of the OMMT or MWCNT in the Nylon6
matrix. The thermal properties of Nylon6 nanocomposites were characterized by
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The results obtained from XRD and TEM
analyses of the OMMT and MWCNT fillers in Nylon6 matrix will be presented. In
addition, the mechanical properties and thermal properties of the both Nylon6
nanocomposites compared with other experimental data will be discussed in
details. A COMSOL Multiphysics model of this new technique to form thin films
of dispersed and oriented nano-materials will be presented.