Crystallization of a polyamide 6/montmorillonite nanocomposite at rapid cooling

摘要

The crystallization behavior of a polyamide 6/organo-modified montmorillonite (PA 6/OMMT) nanocomposite has been investigated by fast scanning chip calorimetry (FSC) and by temperature-resolved wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). Emphasis has been placed on the evaluation of the effect of supercooling/cooling rate on the crystal/mesophase polymorphism of the PA 6 matrix. Presence of OMMT has an only minor effect on the kinetics of formation of α-crystals of PA 6 at low cooling rate while there is observed enhanced nucleation of γ-mesophase on fast cooling. Furthermore, addition of OMMT leads to a distinct increase of the cooling rate required to completely vitrify the amorphous state. The performed experiments demonstrate that the nucleating effect of OMMT in PA 6/OMMT nanocomposites is of particular importance at cooling conditions relevant in polymer processing.