M. Attari - Polymer Engineering Department, Islamic Azad University south of Tehran branch, Tehran, Iran
A. Arefazar - Polymer Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Gh. R Bakhshandeh - Rubber Processing and Engineering Department, Iran Polymer & Petrochemical Institute, Tehran, Iran

Preparation and morphology of PA6 / high density polyethylene (HDPE)/ SEBS-g-MA / Modified clay nanocomposites were studied. Mixing was performed using melt processing in an Extruder Co rotating Twin Screw. After etching the materials with boiling Toluene and THF at room temperature, the morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the effects of the Organo-Clay addition on the structure of nanocomposites. XRD traces showed that the characteristic (001) peak of the nanocomposites shifted to the lower angle region. XRD and TEM results showed simultaneous existence exfoliated and intercalated structures in produced nanocomposites. The tensile properties and impact strength of these toughened nanocomposites are discussed in terms of the MMT and SEBS-g-MA contents and morphology. Adding of nanoclay enhanced and improved the stiffness properties of produced nanocomposites but reduced their toughness properties. Adding of SEBS-g-MA reduced stiffness properties but increased toughness properties. In this project, we gain access a best, optimum composition which there is a clear trade-off between stiffness versus toughness.

Campatibilizer; Morphology; PA6; HDPE; Toughening