Abstract Polymer/clay nanocomposites are a new class of composites with polymer matrices where the disperse phase is a silicate with elementary particles that have at least one of dimensions in nanometer order. Polyamide 6/Brazilian organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation, and the mechanical, thermal and thermomechanical properties were studied. The structure and morphology of the nanocomposites were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was verified by XRD and TEM analysis that all systems presented exfoliated structure predominantly. By thermogravimetry (TG), nanocomposites showed higher stabilities in relation to pure polymer. It was observed that the nanocomposites showed better mechanical properties compared to the properties of polyamide 6. The heat deflection temperature (HDT) values of the nanocomposites showed a significant increase in relation to pure polymer.

Nanocompósitos de poliamida 6 com argila organofílica foram preparados pelo método de intercalação no estado fundido. Foram estudadas as propriedades reológicas e mecânicas de nanocompósitos com argila nacional. A argila utilizada foi tratada com o sal quaternário de amônio (Cetremide) e foi caracterizada por Espectroscopia no Infravermelho (FTIR) e difração de raios X (DRX). Os resultados evidenciaram a incorporação do sal na argila e sua organofilização. Para a obtenção dos nanocompósitos, foram preparados concentrados de PA6/argila (1:1) em (m/m) e estes foram adicionados na poliamida 6, em quantidade de 3% de argila no composto final, utilizando uma extrusora de rosca dupla corrotacional. Posteriormente, as amostras foram moldadas por injeção e caracterizadas por: reometria capilar, DRX, MET e ensaios mecânicos (tração e impacto). Os resultados de reometria capilar mostraram que a presença da argila organofílica na PA6 aumentou a viscosidade dos sistemas. Por DRX e MET, foi verificado que todos os sistemas apresentaram predominância de estrutura esfoliada. As propriedades mecânicas sob tração foram melhores do que as da poliamida 6.

Nanocomposites of polyamide 6 with organoclay were prepared by melt intercalation and their rheological and mechanical properties were studied. The clay was treated with the quaternary ammonium salt (Cetremide) and characterized by Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed the incorporation of salt in the clay and its organophilization. A master was prepared with PA6/clay (1:1) by weight and this was added to the pure polyamide 6 to reach the nominal proportion of 3% of clay, using a corrotacional twin screw extruder. The samples were molded by injection and characterized by: capillary rheometry, XRD, TEM and mechanical testing (tensile and impact). The results of capillary rheometry showed that the presence of organoclay in the PA6 increased the viscosity of the systems. With XRD and TEM, it was verified that all systems presented predominantly exfoliated structure. The tensile properties of the nanocomposites were better than those of pure polyamide 6.